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The False-hearted Lass of Limehouse
The False-hearted Lass of Limehouse. [From the Pepys Collection.]
You loyal lovers far and near,
That live and reign in Cupid's court,
I'd have you freely lend an ear,
While I my sorrows do report:
She that I lov'd has left me o'er;
I'll never trust a woman more.
In her I plac'd my chief delight,
And was her captive night and day;
For why? her charming beauty bright
Had clearly stole my heart away:
But she will not my joys restore;
I'll never trust a woman more.
On board of ship I chanc'd to go,
To serve our good and gracious king:
Now when she found it must be so.
She did her hands in sorrow wring,
Yet wedded when I left the shore;
I'll never trust a woman more.
My dearest love, she often cry'd,
Forbear to sail the ocean sea;
If fortune shall us now divide,
Alas! what will become of me?
This she repeated ten times o'er!
I'll never trust a woman more.
A thousand solemn vows I made,
And she return'd the like again,
That no one should our hearts invade,
But both in loyal love remain;
Yet she another had in store!
I'll never trust a woman more.
I was obliged to leave the land,
And ready to go hoist up sail,
At which tears, in her eyes did stand,
And bitterly she did bewail;
Yet she another had in store!
I'll never trust a woman more.
I gave her then a ring of gold,
To keep in token of true love,
And said, My dearest dear behold!
I evermore will loyal prove.
She married when I left the shore!
I'll never trust a woman more.
Five months I ploughed the ocean main,
With courage void of dread and fear;
At length with joy return'd again
To the embraces of my dear.
But she another had in store!
I'll never trust a woman more.
Constancy doth torture me,
And make my sorrows most severe;
Like a keen dart it pierc'd my heart,
For why? I did the tydings hear,
As soon as e'er I came on shore!
I'll never trust a woman more.
Now must I wander in despair,
I find it is the Fates' decree;
My grief is more than I can bear,
I can love none alive but she:
Farewell, farewell, my native shore!
I'll never trust a woman more.
