Inhumane, & Cruel Bloody News from Leeds in York-shire

Alas what times here be,
For men to live so sinfully;
Nothing but wickedness doth reign
In peoples hearts, we find it plain;
The Devil prompts men unto sin,
And to amend they'l not begin,
Till Iustice over takes them streight,
Then they repent when 'tis too late;
God grant us Grace, and keep us free,
From Murther and Adultery.

But now my Subject to indite,
It doth my Muses sore affright;
And forceth me to shed a tear,
For me to write what you shall hear:
'Tis of a Young-man, I may say,
Which did his Parents not obey;
But like a Crafty, cuning Elf,
Despis'd his Friends, ruin'd himself:
God grant us Grace, &c.

This man to Lust was so inclin'd,
And for to satisfie his mind,
Did covit straight anothers wife,
For which no doubt he'l lose his life:
Her Husband being gone to Sea,
He often kept her company:
And Night and Day was at her still,
His wicked mind for to fullfil:
God give us Grace; &c.

Alas! quoth she, this must not be,
My Husband being now at Sea,
And I but lately Married am,
Pray don't a weak woman Trapan:
qd. he, my dear there's none shall know
My tender love which I will show;
If thou lov'st me, as I do thee,
Thou ever shall live happily:
God grant us Grace, & keep us free,
From Murther and Adultery.

I pray good Sir your suit forbear,
Whence forward come not me near
I would not for Riches great store,
You should come nigh me any more:
Although she often said him nay,
No rest she took for him night nor day,
Vntil a promise she exprest,
To satisfie his Wickedness;
God grant us grace, and keep us free,
From Murther and Adultery.

Quoth he my dear do not you fear,
Travel with me into York-Shire;
There I have means for to maintain,
Both thee and I from friends disdain:
For none shall know where we do go,
I will secure thee from grief and woe,
Such flattering words she did not deny
But went with him in a strange country.
Then God grant us grace, &c.

Where they some time liv'd free from strife,
All took them to be Man and Wife,
The Woman she grew big with child,
By him which had her thus beguil'd;
She often charg'd him to take heed,
Pray don't forsake me in time of need;
Remember now your Oaths to me,
And loving be in my extremity:
Then God grant us grace, &c.

He valli'd not her words that time,
But studied an inhumane crime;
The Devil tempts him night and day,
How for to take her Life away:
He had her to a Private place,
And being void of fear and grace,
Into her Throat he put his Knife,
Which ended this poor womans life:
Then God grant us grace, &c.

He cuts her mouth from ear to ear,
Not thinking vengeance was so near;
Then out her eyes he straight did bore,
Also her tongue in peices tore;
Her womb he ript open so wide,
Then laid the baby by her side;
This wicked wretch having so done,
Takes Horse and speedily was gone,
Then God grant us grace, &c.

But murder which crys loud on high,
For vengeance takes him speedily;
And brings him back at that same time,
To answer for his bloody crime;
Vnto a Iustice he did confess,
His bloody deed of Wickedness;
Then to York-Castle he was sent,
God give him grace for to repent:
God grant us grace, &c.

Young Maids and Wives I pray ye all,
Take warning by this womans fall;
Don't yeild to flattering speeches fair,
And of lewd young-men have a care;
Also you that Husbands have,
Yeild to no tongue that comes to crave
You to defile your Marriage Bed,
Take warning here, be not misled;
God grant us grace, and keep us free,
From Murther and Adultery.