"Indeed, no friend I have," she said, "But you my tender mother dear;" So then to tell her brothers, they Unto the chamber did repair. Where in their beds they there did lie In death's cold arms as doth appear, For now begins the bloodiest part Of tragedy you e'er did hear. The noise was quickly about spread, That many went the same to see, Amongst which, for a truth, 'tis said, One Clerk, a noted surgeon he. Who said, "They poyson'd be, indeed." With that the daughter did declare, "My mother she hath done this thing As I will quickly make appear. "I saw my mother mix some stuff Into a bowl of punch, indeed; Then, underneath the table she, The paper she did fling, with speed "Then burnt the paper instantly:" Which made the doctor for to say, "Madame, you have some murder done;" So to a justice went straitway. And, altho' she was innocent, She strait to prison was convey'd, Where she, poor soul, in grief, indeed, Until the next assizes laid. And then the morning being come, She at the bar did strait appear, Where then her cruel daughter, she Swore false against her mother dear. Her sentence was for to be burnt; And then she back to prison went, Where the poor soul did weep and mourn, Being overprest with discontent. So the next morning being come, Unto the stake she was convey'd; And being chain'd unto the same, Poor soul, she to the people said:-- "I now must die a cruel death As ever sinful soul did die; So, Lord, my daughter pray forgive, As Lord, you know, I am not guilty." The psalms and prayers being done. The fire kindled was with speed; And as they pull'd the stool away, She then for mercy call'd indeed. The daughter that this thing had done, She had a letter wrote, indeed, And coming near the fire, she Cry'd, "Pray make room for me with speed!" She gave it to the minister:[194] Then to the people's great surprise, She in the flames did throw herself, Indeed, with dismal shrieks and cries. And yet, before any of the crowd Had power hands on her to lay, She, and her tender mother dear, Was burnt to death that very day. So, lovers all, a warning take, Lest Satan does your ruin prove; And, youths, slight not your parents dear, For fear it proves your destruction. And parents all, I humbly pray, Prize not one child above the rest; For often they do prove the worst, The which you prize and love the best. The young man he distracted run, And threw himself into a well, Unto his parents' great sorrow; So justice on his head then fell.[195] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 194: The Rev. Mr. Jones, as he stood by the fire; which runs thus:--