The distressed mother: being a merchants daughter of London, who lost her husband in Ireland, and her father falling to decay, b[eing] in prison, brought her youngest child to the court at Kensington, leaving it there with a note in its bosome, wh[ich] show'd her misfortunes; desiring the Queen to be kind to the child for its parents sake; which she graciously [ac]cordingly did. To the tune of, Let Cesar live long.

The Distressed MOTHER :

Being a Merchants Daughter of London , who lost her Husband in Ireland , and her Father falling to decay , b●●●● in Prison , brought her youngest Child to the Court at Kensington , leaving it there with a Note in its bosome , wh●●● show'd her misfortunes ; desiring the Queen to be Kind to the Child for its parents sake ; which she graciously ●●cordingly did .

To the Tune of , Let Cesar live long .

ALL you that have now a desire to hear A pleasant new Ditty , I 'd have you draw near , It is of a passage that happen'd at Court , Where both Lords and Ladies of Fame do resort ; There came a young Woman , as we understand , And walk'd too and fro with a Child in her hand . She seemed , alas ! to be loaded with grief , And stood in great need of some speedy relief , As having the Picture of Care in her Face , Yet nothing she said to the Nobles in place , But wander'd about in the Court for a while , Still leading the Babe which did prattle and smile . This Infant the Ladies of Honour beheld , And they with pure love and affection were fill'd , To see this sweet Creature , who wittily play'd , And likewise at length near their Presence it stray●● Now they being busie , they then did not mind This Child , while the Mother had left it behind . Then missing the Mother , poor Creature it cry'd , And looking all round it on every side ; Yet this was in vain , for no Mother was there , At length the young Ladies of Honour took care , And brought it immediately to our good Queen , Who said a more sweeter she never had seen . In decent Apparel this Child then was drest , And likewise a Writing was plac'd in the Breast● The which gave the Queen a relation at large . Concerning this poor Womans grief and her cha●… As now in these following Lines will appear , If that you are willing to lend but an Ear. THe summ of the Lines of that Letter were these . My Husband , with Schomberg went over the Seas Vnto the most desolate Irish Shore , Where Cannons in Battle , like thunder , did roar ; And there in the Field was unhappily slain , For whom I in sorrow and grief do remain . My Father he was a rich Merchant of Fame , In London , yet I shall not mention his Name ; He many fair Hundreds and Thousands has lost , By France , as they over the Ocean have crost : This makes me almost now distracted to run , My Husband is dead , and my Father undone . This Wealth I 'd not value , nay , if it were more , Provided that we had but Treasure in store ; But my aged Father 's in Prison this Day , Because he his Debts is not able to pay : And thus , Royal Queen , I in brief do relate Our sad and distressed deplorable state . As Gracious Queen Mary the Letter did read , With pitty her heart then was ready to bleed ; Sweet Babe , for thy Mother and dear Fathers sake , A careful provision for thee I will make ; And likewise be kind to thy Grandsire also , If that thy dear Mother and him I did know . A Lady of Honour then stood by the side Of Gracious Queen Mary , to whom she reply'd , Procure me a Nurse for this Child out of hand ; The Lady no longer disputing did stand , But a careful Woman that hour did seek , Who has for her Wages Six Shillings a Week . This Child was a Girl about two years of age , Whose pritty sweet actions does dayly engage The Ladies of Honour to love it also , In sumptuous apparel likewise it does go : And thus by her Royal compassionate care , The Queen with her Ladies doth nourish it there . FINIS .