|
Capt. Johnsons last Farewel:
Who was arraigned for being assisting in the stealing a young
Heiress, for which he received Sentance of Death, and was accordingly Exe-
cuted at Tyburn, the 23th. of this instant December, 1690.
To the Tune of Russel's Farewell. Licensed according to Order.
|
| 1. |
| YOu noble Lords of high Degree, |
| that see my dismal Doom, |
| Have some regard to pity me, |
| who now alas! am come |
| To dye an ignominious Death, |
| as well it doth appear; |
| While I declare with my last Breath, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 2. |
| In Scotland was I bred, and born |
| of noble Parents there; |
| Good Education did adorn |
| my Life, I do declare: |
| No Crime did e'er my Conscience stain, |
| till I adventured here, |
| Thus have I reason to complain, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 3. |
| In Flanders I the French have fac'd, |
| likewise in Ireland, |
| Still eagerly pursu'd the Chace, |
| with valiant heart and hand: |
| Why was not I in Battel slain, |
| rather than suffer here |
| A Death which Mortals doth disdain; |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 4. |
| I did no hurt nor wrong intend, |
| I solemnly protest; |
| But merely for to serve my Friend, |
| I granted his Request, |
| To free his Lady out of Thrall, |
| his Joy and only Dear; |
| And now my Life must pay for all, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 5. |
| I coming from my Native Land, |
| in this unhappy time, |
| Alas! I did not understand |
| the Nature of the Crime; |
| Therefore I soon did condescend, |
| as it doth well appear, |
| And find therein I did offend, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 6. |
| In the same Lodging where I lay, |
| and liv'd at Bed and Board, |
| My Landlord did my Life betray, |
| for Fifty pounds Reward: |
| Then being into Prison cast, |
| although with Conscience clear, |
| I was arraigned at the last, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 7. |
| The Lady would not hear my moan, |
| while dying Words I sent; |
| Her cruel Heart more hard than stone, |
| could not the least relent; |
| But triumph in my wretched State, |
| as I did often hear; |
| I fall here by the hand of Fate, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 8. |
| Will not my good and gracious King |
| be mercifull to me? |
| Is there not in his Breast a Spring |
| of Princely Clemency? |
| No, not for me, alas! I dye, |
| the hours drawing near; |
| To the last Minute I shall cry |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 9. |
| Farewell dear Country-men, said he, |
| and this tumultuous noise; |
| My Soul will soon transported be |
| to more Coelestial Joys; |
| Tho' in the Blossom of my Youth, |
| pale Death I do not fear, |
| For to the last I'll speak the Truth, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
| 10. |
| Alas! I have not long to live, |
| and therefore now, said he, |
| All that have wrong'd me I forgive, |
| as God shall pardon me; |
| My Landlord and his subtle Wife, |
| I do forgive them here, |
| Farewell this transitory Life, |
| the Laws are most severe. |
|
|
|
|
