Remote in Yorkshire, near to Bowes,
Of late did Roger Wrightson dwell;
He courted Martha Railton, whose
Repute for virtue did excel;
Yet Roger’s friends would not agree,
That he to her should married be.
Their love continued one whole year,
Full sore against their parents’ will;
And when he found them so severe,
His loyal heart began to chill:
And last Shrove Tuesday, took his bed,
With grief and woe encompassèd.
Thus he continued twelve days’ space,
In anguish and in grief of mind;
And no sweet peace in any case,
This ardent lover’s heart could find;
But languished in a train of grief,
Which pierced his heart beyond relief.
Now anxious Martha sore distressed,
A private message did him send,
Lamenting that she could not rest,
Till she had seen her loving friend:
His answer was, ‘Nay, nay, my dear,
Our folks will angry be I fear.’
Full fraught with grief, she took no rest,
But spent her time in pain and fear,
Till a few days before his death
She sent an orange to her dear;
But’s cruel mother in disdain,
Did send the orange back again.
Three days before her lover died,
Poor Martha with a bleeding heart,
To see her dying lover hied,
In hopes to ease him of his smart;
Where she’s conducted to the bed,
In which this faithful young man laid.
Where she with doleful cries beheld,
Her fainting lover in despair;
At which her heart with sorrow filled,
Small was the comfort she had there;
Though’s mother showed her great respect,
His sister did her much reject.
She stayed two hours with her dear,
In hopes for to declare her mind;
But Hannah Wrightson [108a] stood so near,
No time to do it she could find:
So that being almost dead with grief,
Away she went without relief.
Tears from her eyes did flow amain,
And she full oft would sighing say,
‘My constant love, alas! is slain,
And to pale death, become a prey:
Oh, Hannah, Hannah thou art base;
Thy pride will turn to foul disgrace!’
She spent her time in godly prayers,
And quiet rest did from her fly;
She to her friends full oft declares,
She could not live if he did die:
Thus she continued till the bell,
Began to sound his fatal knell.