%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> Sweet WILLIAM of Plymouth. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1736-1736 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 04/28/2011 31055

The University of California makes a claim of copyright only to original contributions made by Early Modern Center participants and other members of the university community. The University of California makes no claim of copyright to the original text. Permission is granted to download, transmit or otherwise reproduce, distribute or display the contributions to this work claimed by The University of California for non-profit educational purposes, provided that this header is included in its entirety. For inquiries about commercial uses, please contact:

Patricia Fumerton Early Modern Center - English Department University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93105 United States of America EMail: pfumer@english.ucsb.edu

T51007 A Seaman of Dover, Sweet William by name, / A wooing to beautiful Satan he came; Roxburghe Ballads Editor None None None None Information in this section of the Source Description refers to the original ballad manuscript. 3: 332 3: 333 Sweet WILLIAM of Plymouth. Sweet WILLIAM of Plymouth. Sweet WILLIAM of Plymouth. 1736-1736

This document follows the guidelines specified for TEI.

XML Generated Automatically at 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM Using EMC

XBallad Parsing Engine developed by Carl Stahmer.

TEI Template developed by Gerald Egan and Modified by Carl Stahmer

All apostrophes are encoded as '.

Any dashs occurring in line breaks have been removed;

All dashs are encoded as ‐ and all em dashes as —.

 Early Modern Center Ballad Project Keyword Taxonomy advice affliction/ health alcohol animals/ nature Bible/ biblical figures buildings/ architecture catastrophe children class clothing/ appearance country/ nation crime death economics/ commerce entertainments family folklore gender holidays/ seasons infidelity labor/ craft law London love maritime marriage military/ war monstrosity mythology/ Classical news nobility/ court politics/ government procreation punishment race/ ethnicity religious concepts religious figures religious types & sects royalty rural life servitude sex/ sexuality supernatural/ magic The New World travel trickery/ deceit urban life vice violence virtue vulgarities/ crass humor youth/ age Library of Congress Subject Heading Taxonomy 4/28/2011 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America affliction/ health family love maritime marriage travel trickery/ deceit Ballads, English 17th century Broadsides, England 17th century 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM XBallad Mellon, Gillian Created XML Version of Ballad 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM Transcription Supervisor McAbee, Kristina, Nebeker, Eric Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM Double-Key Comparison and Merging Becker, Charlotte Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM Transcriptionist Two Meyer, Shannon Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/28/2011 4:22:11 PM Transcriptionist One Zusky, Catherine Transcription of ballad manuscript 11/30/2010 Checker Grafals Michael Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 11/30/2010 Checker Grafals Michael Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 11/30/2010 Checker Grafals Michael Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 1/17/2009 Bibliographer Meghan Fadel Initial Ballad Catalogue Record Created 1/17/2009 Checker Meghan Fadel Edited Ballad Catalogue Record
<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="bold"><hi rend="italic">Sweet</hi></hi> <hi rend="italic">WILLIAM <hi rend="bold">of</hi> Plymouth.</hi></seg>
A Seaman of Dover, Sweet William by name, A wooing to beautiful Susan he came: At length he obtained her love and good-will, And likewise her father admird him still. Her mother was also as much satisfyd, The day was appointed the knot should be tyd. Their friends were invited, but see by the way, Sweet Susan she sickend, and languishing lay. They usd their endeavours to raise her again, By famous Physicians, but their skill was vain. A week she continued;---sweet William did grieve, Because of his love he must take his leave; As being commanded to sail the next wind. Then leaving his sweetest creature behind, He said, I must marry when I come again, If thou by good fortune alive dost remain. As long as I live Ill prove true to my love, And Susan I hope you as constant will prove. Never doubt in the least, sweet William, said she, Theres none upon earth shall enjoy me but thee. A tribute of tears at their parting they paid, Sweet William, the mother, and innocent maid. Nay likewise the father is grievd to the heart, To think she so soon from her dearest must part. Away to the ocean sweet William is gone, Where we will leave him, and shew you anon How base and deceitful her parents did prove, Advising the maid to be false to her love. PART II. NOW when this damsel had languishing lain Near five or six months she recoverd again. Her beauty grew brighter than ever before, So that there were many her charms did adore. Each one did esteem her that came in her view; Her fame to the neighbouring villages flew, To be the most beautiful creature on earth, Altho but a fishermans daughter by birth. So that she was courted by none of the worst: A wealthy young farmer came to her the first, And calld her the jewel and joy of his life. Said she, Begone, Im another mans wife, By solemn vows in the presence of God: And if I am false let his heavenly rod Of sharpest correction my punishment be; Therefore begone from my presence, said she. Then came a squire who calld her his dear, Who said, he would settle two hundred a year Upon her, if she would be his sweet bride, I must not, I cannot, you must be denyd.
Then unto her father and mother he went, Who soon discoverd his noble intent. They being ambitious of honour and fame, Did strive to persuade her, but all in vain. Dear parents, said she, observe what I say, In things which be lawful I mean to obey. But when youd have me be perjurd for gold, I dare not submit, to the truth I will hold. They found it signifyd nothing to strive, So long as she knew her true love was alive, To induce her to mind any one but he, And then the young squire and they did agree, To send this innocent young damsel away. Along with a lady to Holland, and they Would tell her love at his return, she was dead. That he with some other damsel might wed. Then would it be lawful to wed the squire, Who did her beautiful features admire. Thus it was contrived, to Holland she was sent, Poor creature she knew not their cunning intent. But since her parents would have it so, In point of obedience she yielded to go, Where we will leave her, to treat of her love, Who had been gone two years and above. PART III. IN Williams long voyage they came to a place, Where they had been but a short space. Where fortune did favour him, so that he bought A bargain worth hundreds and thousands tis thought Then laden with riches he came on shore, Said he, My jewel whom I do adore. I will go and visit before I do rest, My heart has been lodgd a long time in her breast. Now when to the house of her father he came, He called for Susan, sweet Susan by name. But strait her mother did make this reply, Tis long since my daughter did languish and die. His heart at these tidings was ready to break, Some minutes he had not the power to speak, At length with a flood of tears he replyd, Adieu to the pleasures and charms of a bride. My sorrows are more than Im able to bear, Is Susan departed, sweet Susan the fair, Then none in the world I do love, since she Is laid in the grave that was dearest to me. Their presence he quitted with watery eyes, And went to his father and mother likewise, His own loving parents, and with them he left His wealth, cause he was of his love bereft.
Resolved I am to travel again, Perhaps it will wear off my anguish and pain. Take care of my riches, tis value unknown, And if I return not, then it is your own. But if I should live to see you once more, I make no doubt but the same youll restore. Ay, that I will, soon, the father replyd. So for this long voyage he then did provide. He goes on board, and away he did steer: The seas were calm, and the element clear At first. At length a storm did arise, Black clouds did cover and darken the skies. The seas did foam, and the winds did roar, At length being driven upon the Dutch shore, Their ship was shatterd and so torn indeed. That they on they voyage could not proceed. Now while they laid by their ship to repair. William went to the Hague, and walkd there. And as he was walking along in the street, With beautiful Susan he happend to meet. He started as soon as her face he beheld. With wonder and pleasure he was so filld, Oh! tell me, said he, ye blest powers above. Do not my eyes deceive me, or is it my love. They say, shes been buried twelve months almost. Sure this is my love, or her beautiful ghost. Then quick he went to her, and found it was she, And none in the world was so happy as he. My dearest sweet Susan why dost thou roam? What destiny brought thee so far from home? The truth she told him, with tears in her eyee, Concerning the farmer and squire likewise. They courted me long, but still I said nay, And therefore my relations sent me away To wait on a lady, with whom I am now, Because I would not be false to my vow. He presently told her of his affairs, His riches, his troubles, and his cares. And how he was going a voyage to make. But knew not whither, and all for her sake, But as we was sailing, the weather grew foul, The winds did blow, and billows did rowl, Yet nevertheless on this turbulent sea, The winds were kind, and conveyd me to thee. Ill go to thy lady, and let her to know You shall serve no longer, but with me go, Unto fair Plymouth, where thou shalt be seen, As gay as herself or as fine as a queen. PART IV. HE made a dispatch and brought her away, The seas were calm, and the winds did obey, So that in short time to Plymouth they came, And now he was clearly for changing his name.
He told his father and mother that there, By fortunes kind favour he lit on his dear. And now we will prepare for the wedding said he, Thy father and mother invited must be, Then unto her parents he hasted at last, And told the heighth of his sorrow was past, For since you say Susan your daughter is dead, I have found a beauty with whom I will wed, And therefore I come to bring the news, I hope one favour you will not refuse. O! honour me then with your presence I pray, And come to the wedding, to-morrows the day. They promisd to come, well pleasd to the heart To think so well they had acted their part. Now, now, said the mother, I have my desire, Well fetch home our daughter to marry the squire. The very next morning sweet Susan was drest, In sumptuous apparel, more gay than the rest. The richest things that the world could afford, Embroidered with gold he had from abroad. With diamonds and rubies her vesture did shine, Her features did look like an angel divine, Scarce ever was mortal so glorious and great, And likewise her modesty suited her state. Now they being all down to dinner set, This beautiful couple so happily met. This stately apparel had alterd her so Her father and mother her face did not know. A health to the bride round the table did pass, The mother of Susan then taking a glass, Did do as the rest, and spoke with a grace, Had my daughter been here shed been in your place The bride at this saying, then modestly smild, To think the mother knew not her own child, Soon after the bride arose from her seat. And fell on her knees at her parents feet. I am your daughter whom you did send To Holland, but Heaven stood my best friend, And placd me secure in the arms of my love; For which, I may thank the blest powers above. Her father and mother with blushes replyd, The squire was eager to make her his bride, But since it is orderd by Heavens decree, We grant you our blessing, rise up from your knee, Then William spoke up with a noble grace, A fig for the squire, bring him to my face, For crowns of bright silver with him Ill let fall, And he that drops longest shall surely take all. They wonderd how he should such riches gain, But they believd twas true in the main, Because both appeared so glorious and gay, With musick and dancing they finishd the day.
Printed and Sold in Bow Church-Yard.