To the constable she sent,

To have him apprehended;

And fhewed how far, in each degree,
He had the laws offended.

160

When Barnwell faw her drift,
To fea he got ftraightway;

Where fear and fting of confcience
Continually on him lay.

Unto the lord mayor then,

He did a letter write ;

In which his own and Sarah's fault

He did at large recite.

Whereby fhe feized was,

And then to Ludlow fent:

Where she was judg'd, condemn'd, and hang'd,

For murder incontinent.

There dyed this gallant quean,
Such was her greatest gains:

For murder in Polonia,

Was Barnwell hang'd in chains.

Lo! here's the end of youth,

That after harlots haunt;

Who in the spoil of other men,

About the streets do flaunt.

S4

165

170

175

180

VII. THE

VII.

THE STEDFAST SHEPHERD.

These beautiful Stanzas were written by GEORGE WITHER, of whom fome account was given in the former part of this Volume; fee the fong intitled, THE SHEPHERDS RESOLUTION, Book II. Song XXI. In the firft Edition of this work only a small fragment of this Sonnet was inferted. It was afterwards rendered more compleat and intire by the addition of five Stanzas more, extracted from Wither's paftoral poem, intitled "The Miftress of "Philarete," of which this Song makes a part. It is now given fill more correct and perfect by comparing it with another copy, printed by the author in his improved edition of "The Shepherd's Hunting," 1620. 8vo.

ENCE away, thou Syren, leave me,

HE

Pifh unclafpe these wanton armes ;

Sugred words can ne'er deceive me,

(Though thou prove a thoufand charmes).
Fie, fie, forbeare;

No common fnare

Can ever my affection chaine :

5

Thy painted baits,

And poore deceits,

Are all bestowed on me in vaine,

10

I'me no flave to fuch, as you be;

Neither fhall that snowy breft,

Rowling eye, and lip of ruby.

"Ever robb me of my reft:
Goe, goe, difplay

Thy beautie's ray

To fome more-foone enamour'd fwaine:

Thofe common wiles

. Of fighs and fmiles

Are all beftowed on me in vaine.

I have elsewhere vowed a dutie;
Turne away thy tempting eye:

Shew not me a painted beautie;
These impoftures I defie:
My fpirit lothes

Where gawdy clothes

And fained othes may love obtaine :

I love her fo,

Whofe looke sweares No;

15

20

25

That is the pride of Cynthia's traine :
Then ftay thy tongue;

Thy mermaid fong

Is all bestowed on me in vaine.

Hee's a foole, that bafely dallies,

Where each peasant mates with him :

Shall I haunt the thronged vallies,

Whilft ther's noble hils to climbe?
No, no, though clownes

Are fcar'd with frownes,

40

45

Leave me then, you Syrens, leave me ;

Seeke no more to worke my harmes :

Craftie wiles cannot deceive me,

Who am proofe againft your charmes :

55

60

You

The fubject of this ballad is taken from a folio collection of tragical ftories, intitled "The theatre of God's judgments, by Dr. Beard and Dr. Taylor, 1642. Pt. 2. p. 89. -The text is given (with fome corrections) from two copies; one of them in black letter in the Pepys collection. In this every ftanza is accompanied with the following diftich by way of burden,

"Oh jealoufie! thou art nurft in hell :
Depart from hence, and therein dwell.”

66

AL

LL tender hearts, that ake to hear
Of thofe that fuffer wrong;

All you, that never shed a tear,
Give heed unto my fong.