%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> The Unnatural FATHER: / Or, The Dutiful SON's Reward. / PART I. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1728-1728 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 05/07/2012 32489

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

N68224 HERE is a looking-glass for childreu dear, / A looking-glass I say, therefore draw near, WHEN parents doat upon a certain child, / He often proves reverse, stubborn, and wild; NOW having treated of his grief and woe, / As he from time to time did undergo, Information in this section of the Source Description refers to the original ballad manuscript. 1: 289744 The Unnatural FATHER: / Or, The Dutiful SON's Reward. / PART I. The Unnatural FATHER: Or, The Dutiful SON's Reward. PART I. The Unnatural FATHER: Or, The Dutiful SON's Reward. PART I. 1728-1728

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 Early Modern Center Ballad Project Keyword Taxonomy advice affliction/ health alcohol Americas 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 groups royalty rural life servitude sex/ sexuality supernatural/ magic travel trickery/ deceit urban life vice violence virtue vulgar humor youth/ age Library of Congress Subject Heading Taxonomy 5/7/2012 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America advice children family love punishment vice Ballads, English 17th century Broadsides, England 17th century 5/7/2012 1:49:13 PM XBallad Mendoza, Aaron Created XML Version of Ballad 5/7/2012 1:49:13 PM Transcription Supervisor Meyer, Shannon Transcription of ballad manuscript 5/7/2012 1:49:13 PM Double-Key Comparison and Merging Meyer, Shannon Transcription of ballad manuscript 5/7/2012 1:49:13 PM Transcriptionist Two Bell, Erik Transcription of ballad manuscript 5/7/2012 1:49:13 PM Transcriptionist One Becker, Charlotte Transcription of ballad manuscript 6/30/2011 Checker Percy Ross Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 6/29/2011 Checker Percy Ross Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 6/29/2011 Checker Percy Ross Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 5/14/2011 Bibliographer Shannon Meyer Initial Ballad Catalogue Record Created 5/14/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 5/14/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 5/14/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 5/14/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record
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<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">The Unnatural FATHER:</hi></seg> <seg n="2" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">Or, The Dutiful SONs Reward.</hi></seg> <seg n="3" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">PART I.</hi></seg>
HERE is a looking-glass for children dear, A looking-glass I say, therefore draw near, And view the mercies which the lord extends To those that are obedient to their friends. If parents do the thing that is not right, Setting their hearts, their loves, and whole delight, Upon one child, and eke the other wrong. Trust in the Lord, whose hand and arm is strong. In his due time he will these things redress. He never leaves his servants comfortless. As by this true reltion you may find. If you his works of providence will mind. In Dorsetshir a wealthy man of late. Two sons he had, likewise a vast estate. The one he loved with affection pure, The other son he never could endure. But kept him meaner then the vilest slave, And often wishd him in the silent grave. As they at each time then at variance fell, But for what reason none alive can tell. A more obedient son was seldom seen. Modest in carriage, of a genteel mein. Yet neertheless his father did him slight, And never could endure him in his sight. Or if he did hed frown upon him still, No peace, no joy, no love, or kind good-will Could he receive from his fathers hands. Who strove to cut him off from all his lands. Many a stroke and heavy blow he felt, Which often causd his youthful eye to melt Into a flood of sad lamenting tears. Thus he with patience sufferd many years. The darling son was cloathd in rich array, And often did his gaudy plumes display. Making his fathers gold and silver fly, Like summers dust, in jovial company. While he was thus supported in his pride, The other son was scornd and villifyd. And by his father often spurnd and beat. Who seemed then to grudge the bread he eat. Father, said he, what is the cause of this? If I have acted anything amiss, Tell me my fault, and I will surely mend, For loath I am my parents to offend. At this his fathers wrath encreased more, And with these words he thrust him out of door, Go take your lot beyond the ocean main, And never let me see your face again. The son he little said, but did part From friends and father with a heavy heart.
Encompassd round with sorrow, grief, and care, To seek his fortune, but he knew not where. Poor heart, when this unhappy chance did fall, He nothing had then to subsist withal. Yet carefully he travelld all the day, And then at night upon cold earth he lay. Next morning sleeping on the rural plain, He was awakend by a shepherd swain, Who came that way, and having heard his grief, Out of his scrip he give him some relief. This done, in humble sort he took his leave, With many thanks for what he did receive. And so went on to famous London-town. Where for a time he wanderd up and down. And wanting friends on board he went at last, Over the roaring ocean wide he past. Where we will leave him to Gods providence, And shew the other brothers insolence. PART II. WHEN parents doat upon a certain child, He often proves reverse, stubborn, and wild; And brings them to the greatest sorrow here, As from this late account it will appear. One of his sons thus gone beyond the seas, The other with his parents livd at ease. Until by fruits of sinful wantonness His family was brought to great distress. As you shall hear, for many pounds he spent Among the taverns which he did frequent, Where for a harlots sake, a man he killd, And therefore was in chains and fetters held At Dorchester, in order to be tryd. His father hearing of the news replyd, He shall not die, and go down to the grave, If all that eer I have his life can save. To one in town he mortgagd all his land, Raising five hundred pound then out of land, To keep his darling son from dismal thrall, But yet, dear loving friends, this is not all: For he once more did violate the laws, And was transported for that very cause, From Dorchester, over the raging main, Never to see his native land again, His aged father did in tears lament, His land was mortgagd, and his money spent Upon their wicked child, which grievd them sore, Besides he owd two hundred pounds or more. For which he cold no satisfaction make, Wherefore to jail they did this body take. In tears he wept, beseeching for relief, His chief companion that he had was grief.
His downy Beds were turnd to Bed of Straw, No comfortable friend alive he saw. For want of food he daily did repine. And tears of woe did serve instead of wine. With wringing hands he said, What have I done? How have I wrongd my well-beloving son? My son that was endowd with Christian grace, To succour him that brought me to this place. With these and many more lamenting cries, Distilled tears did trickle down his eyes. Where we will leave him in that sad distress, To show the slighted sons true happiness.
<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">PART III.</hi></seg>
NOW having treated of his grief and woe, As he from time to time did undergo, I come to shew you how Gods blessed hand Restord him from a prison to his land. Behold, that son so scornd and slighted here, In his distress kind providence did steer. From London-city to the Golden-shore. Where God for him a blessing had in store. For process of time behold he found A wealthy fortune worth ten thousand pound. A virtuous wife, most beautiful and fair, And had some thoughts to live and settle there. But each night he was so disturbd in mind, No ease nor satisfaction could he find. But still he dreamd most of his friends were dead, And that his aged father beggd his bread. Being disturbd with his nocturnal thought, His loving wife, with all his wealth, he brought Over the ocean to fair Weymouth-town, Appearing like some persons of renown. Then to his fathers house he did repair, And finding nothing else but strangers there, Concernd he was, so was his lady too, Supposing that his former dreams were true. When meeting with an ancient gentleman, He said, Kind sir, do tell me if you can, What is become of such a family? Fetching a sigh, to him he did reply, The darling son whom he did so adore, Has brought his aged father to be poor By his unparallelld sad villainies; And now for debt in Dorset-jail he lies. At this sad news his eyes did overflow, And said, My loving lady, let us go And see my aged father in distress. Alas! I cannot leave him comfortless. Then coming to the prison, he beheld His aged father dear with sorrow filld. Cloathed in rags, lean skin, and hollow eyes, Having no food his hunger to suffice. The young mans bowels yernd, his heart did bleed, Said he, Old father, tell me now with speed
How long you have been close confined here, It this sad place of sorrow so severe? Right worthy sir, the aged man replyd, Your kind request shall soon be satisfyd, So he began and told him all his grief, And how his son had been the cause in chief. Had you no other son, said he, I pray? Yes, sir, but him I forcd away. One that was loving, courteous, kind and m No father could enjoy a sweeter child. But to my sorrow, here I must confess, I loved him that brought me to distress. The other I would not one smile allow, And so the hand of God is on me now. And is the mother of your sons alive? No, no, sir, she did not long survive, After the sad departure of the first, With utmost grief her tender heart did burst. For having sought her son both far and near, And could of him no tidings hear, Home she returnd, with tears took to her bed, And never after would be comforted. The young mans heart was full, he could not speak Therefore he did a private corner take, To weep his fill, and ease his soul of care, Which done, in jail a feast he did prepare. And calld his aged father to the same; Who cringd and bowd before him as he came. The young man said, Sure this may not be done Be coverd, father, for I am your son; That very son whom you forced away. Your lands I will redeem, your debts Ill pay, And prove a blessing to your ancient days. Dry up your tears, your fainting spirits raise. Art thou my son whom I so long withstood Art thou alive to do thy father good Blessed be God, this news doth cheer my heart Thy duty is much more than my desert. O say not so, my aged father dear, Who serve the Lord with a religious fear Must honour parents dear, for conscience sake, Or sure I am a great command they break. I have been harsh and most severe to thee And turnd thee out in thy minority To seek thy fortune; this I must confess. How can you pity me in my distress? In duty, father, I can all forgive. And further, while I have a day to live, What I have promised Ill surely do. The Lord hath prosperd me to comfort you Soon after this, they from the prison go, He cloathd his father from the top to toe; And placd him in his happy state once more, For which he gaind the love of rich and poor.
Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office in Bow-Church-Yard, London.