A warning for married women: being an example of Mrs. Jane Reynolds ... who having pledged her troth to a seaman was afterwards married to a carpenter, and at last carried away by a spirit, the manner how shall be recited. To a west-country tune, call'd, The fair maid of Bristol: or, John True, &c.

A WARNING for Married WOMEN :

Being an Example of Mrs. JANE REYNOLDS ( a West-country Woman ) born near Plymouth , who having plighted her Troth to a Seaman , was afterwards married to a Carpenter , and at last carried away by a Spiriet , the manner how shall be recited .

To a West-country Tune , call'd , The fair Made of Bristol : or , Iohn True , &c.

THere dwelt a fair maid in the West , of worthy birth and fame , Near unto Plimoath stately town , Jane Reynolds was her name . This ●amsel dearly was belov'd , by a proper youth : And what of her is to be said , is known for very truth : Amongst the rest a Seaman brave unto her a wooing came , A comely proper youth he was , James Harris call'd by name . The maid and young man was agreed , as time did then allow , And to each other secretly they made a solemn vow . That they would ever faitful be , whilst Heaven afforded life ; He was to be her husband kind , and she his faithful wife . A day appointed was also , when they were to be married , But before these things were brought to pass , matters were strangely carried . All you that faithfull lovers be , give ear and hearken well , And what of them became at last I will directly tell : The young man he was prest to Sea , and forced was to go , His sweet-heart she must stay behind whether she would or no. And after he was from her gone , she three yéars for him staid , Expecting of his coming home , and kept herself a maid . At last news came that he was dead within a forraign land , And how that he was buried , she well did understand . For whose sweet sake the maiden she lamented many a day : And never was she known at all the wanton for to play . A Carpenter that liv'd hard by , when he heard of the same , Like as the other had done before , to her a wooing came . But when that he had gain'd her love , they married were with speed , And four years space ( being man and wife ) they lovingly agreed . Three pretty children in this time , this lovely couple had , Which made there father's heart rejoyce , and mother wondrous glad . But as occasion serv'd our time , the good man took his way , Some three days journy from his home intending not to stay . But whilst that he was gone away , a spirit in the night , Came to the window to his wife , and did her sorely fright . Which spirit spake like to a man , and unto her did say , ‛ My dear and only love ( quoth he ) ‛ prepare and come away . ‛ James Harris is my name ( quoth he ) ‛ whom thou didst love so dear , ‛ And I have travel'd for thy sake , ‛ at least this seven year . ‛ And now I am return'd again , 'to take thee to my ●ife , ‛ And thou with me shalt go to See , 'to end all further strife . O tempt me not , sweet James ( quoth she ) with thee away to go , If I should leave my children small , alas , what would they do : My husband is a Carpenter , a Carpenter of great fame , I would not for five hundred pounds that he should know the same . ‛ I might have had a King's daughter , ‛ and she would have married me , ‛ But I forsook her golden crown , ‛ and for the love o●●hee . ‛ Therefore if thou'●t th● husband forsake , ‛ and thy children three also , ‛ I will forgive thee what is past , ‛ if thou wilt with me go . I● I forsake my husband and my little children three , What means hast thou to bring me to , if I should go with thee ? ‛ I have seven ships upon the sea , ‛ wh●n they are come to ●and , ‛ Both merriners and merchandize ‛ shall be at thy command . ‛ ●he ●hip wherein my love shall sail , ‛ is glorious to behold , ‛ The sails shall be of finest silk , ‛ and the mast of shining gold . When he had told her these fair tal●s , to love him she began Because he was in humane shape , much like unto a man . And so together away they went , from off the English shore , And since that time the womankind , was never seen no more . But when her husband he came home , and found his wife was gone , And left her three sweet pretty babes within the house alone . He beat his breast , he tore his hair , the tears fell from his eyes , And in the open streets he run , with heavy doleful cries . And in this sad distracted case , he hang'd himself for woe , Vpon a tree , near to the place , the truth of all is so . The children now are fatherless , ●nd left without a guide , But yet no doubt the heavenly Powers , ● will for them well provide .