The story and character of Jane Shore can best be read in a charmingly written passage of Sir Thomas More's _History of Edward Fifth_, quoted in Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 268. The ballad adheres to matter of fact with a fidelity very uncommon. In Drayton's _England's Heroical Epistles_ is one from Jane Shore to King Edward, and in the notes he thus gives her portrait: "Her stature was meane, her haire of a dark yellow, her face round and full, her eye gray, delicate harmony being betwixt each part's proportion, and each proportion's colour, her body fat, white, and smooth, her countenance cheerfull and like to her condition." (Cited by Percy.) This ballad is taken from the Collection of 1723, vol. i. p. 145. The full title is: _The Woeful Lamentation of Jane Shore, a Goldsmith's Wife in London, sometime King Edward the Fourth's Concubine_. The same version, with trifling variations, is found in Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 274, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 128. In the _Garland of Good Will_ there is another piece on the same subject, (Percy Society, vol. xxx. p. 9, _The Lamentation of Shore's Wife_,) and in the Collection of 1723, a burlesque song, called _King Edward and Jane Shore_ (vol. i. p. 153). If Rosamond, that was so fair, Had cause her sorrow to declare, Then let Jane Shore with sorrow sing, That was beloved of a king. Then, wanton wives, in time amend, For love and beauty will have end. In maiden years my beauty bright 5 Was loved dear by lord and knight; But yet the love that they requir'd, It was not as my friends desir'd. My parents they, for thirst of gain, A husband for me did obtain; 10 And I, their pleasure to fulfil, Was forc'd to wed against my will. To Matthew Shore I was a wife, Till lust brought ruin to my life; And then my life I lewdly spent, 15 Which makes my soul for to lament. In Lombard-street I once did dwell, As London yet can witness well; Where many gallants did behold My beauty in a shop of gold. 20 I spread my plumes, as wantons do, Some sweet and secret friende to wooe, Because my love I did not find Agreeing to my wanton mind. At last my name in court did ring 25 Into the ears of England's king, Who came and lik'd, and love requir'd, But I made coy what he desir'd. Yet Mistress Blague, a neighbour near, Whose friendship I esteemed dear, 30 Did say, "It is a gallant thing To be beloved of a king." By her perswasions I was led For to defile my marriage-bed, And wronge my wedded husband Shore, 35 Whom I had lov'd ten years before.