O awful was the messenger And dismal was the sound, Like a man that was distracted I rolled upon the ground; My tears they fell in torrents, With anguish I was torn; I am poor unhappy Broughton, I wish I had ne'er been born. Farewell, my wife and children, To you I do bid adieu, I never should have come to this Had I staid at home with you. I hope thro' my Redeemer To gain the happy shore, Farewell! farewell! farewell for ever, Spence Broughton soon will be no more. THE YORKSHIRE KNIGHT; OR, THE FORTUNATE FARMER'S DAUGHTER.[189] IN THREE PARTS. _Part I_. Showing how a noble knight was riding by a farmer's house when his wife was in travail. The knight, knowing the signs and planets, looking on a book, read that the farmer's daughter that was born that hour was to be his bride. And how the cruel knight got the child from her parents, and flung it into a river; but, by good fortune, the child was taken up by a poor fisherman alive, who brought her home and kept her till she was eleven years old. _Part II_. How the fisherman was in an inn with some gentlemen, the knight being one of the company; and seeing this young girl come in, he asked the fisherman if she was his own daughter, who told the story of his taking her up, &c. How the knight got the poor girl away, and contrived her death a second time, and how he was prevented. _Part III_. How the knight contrived her death the third time; but her life was saved by showing the knight a ring that he flung into the sea, which the knight seeing, found it was in vain to strive against fortune, so married her. [Footnote 189: A favourite chap-book history, sometimes called "The Yorkshire Garland;" or, "The Cruel Knight, and the Fortunate Farmer's Daughter." See a broadside in Rox. coll.] PART I. In famous York city a farmer did dwell, Who was belov'd by his neighbours full well; He had a good wife that was virtuous and fair, And by her he had a child every year. In seven years' time six children they had, Which made both the father and mother's heart glad. But a little time, as we do hear say, This farmer in wealth and stock did decay; Although that once he had riches great store, In little time after he quickly grew poor; He strove all he could, but alas! could not thrive, Nor hardly could keep his poor children alive. But children came faster than silver or gold, For his wife she conceived again, we are told, And when her time came, in hard travail she fell; But, if you will mind, a strange wonder I'll tell. A rich noble knight did chance to ride by, And hearing this woman to shriek and cry; He being well learned in planets and signs, Did look on a book which puzzled his mind: