the Monks taking Occafion to cry out against the Heinoufnefs of Adultery, and exclaiming against Jane Shore, he was deliver'd over to the Spiritual Power, to be us'd just as they pleas'd, and that done, they laid her Ufage to King Richard's Charge, as a fresh Inftance of his Tyranny. Ifhall not pretend to determine any thing in a Cafe of this Nature, but having related what is urg'd by both Parties, I fhall leave every Body to judge for themselves, and proceed to the Song itself. Mr. Rowe feems to have a great Regard to the Authority of this old Ballad, and has follow'd it more nearly than any Hiftory we have extant; even Mrs. Blague, (tho' I believe mention is made of her no where else) he has, with fome Additions, improv'd into a principal Character, and hewn us all that is faid of this Woman in the ungrateful Alicia. Whilft I am quoting Mr. Rowe, it may perhaps be expected that I should take Notice of his having made Jane Shore refift the Temptations of Haftings, and continue Virtuous after the Death of Edward, to the last; but the Judicious will allow that to be no Authority at all. A Poet has the liberty, in a Dramatick Piece to vary as much as he pleafes from Hiftory, at least as much as his Play requires he fhould. Jane Shore's Misfortunes were all that Mr.Rowe had to raife compaffion from; had he made her a common Strumpet, none of his Audience H 2 would

would have pity'd her; but having made her Good and Virtuous, there is scarce any one can refufe to pay her a Tear: Her only apparent Fault there being her yielding to a Monarch's Love, a Temptation few could have refifted.

IF Rofamond that was fo fair,

Had Cause her Sorrows to declare;
Then let Fane Shore with Sorrow sing,
That was beloved of a King.

Then wanton Wives in time amend,
For Love and Beauty will have end.

In Maiden Years my Beauty bright
Was loved dear by Lord and Knight,
But yet the Love that they requir'd,
It was not as my Friends defir'd.
Then wanton Wives, &c.

My Parents they for Thirft of Gain,

A Husband for me did obtain ;

And I their Pleasure to fulfill,
Was forc'd to wed against my Will:

To Matthew Shore I was a Wife:
'Till Luft brought Ruin to my Life:
And then my Life I lewdly spent,
Which makes my Soul for to lament.

In LombardЛtreet I once did dwell, As London yet can witness well, Where many Gallants did behold My Beauty in a Shop of Gold.

I spread my Plumes as Wantons do, Some sweet and fecret Friend to wooe, Because my Love I did not find Agreeing to my wanton Mind.

At

At last my Name in Court did ring Into the Ears of England's King, Who came and lik'd, and Love requir'd, But I made coy what he defir'd:

Yet Mistress Blague, a Neighbour near, Whose Friendship I esteemed dear, Did fay, It is a gallant thing To be beloved of a King.

By her Perfwafions I was led, For to defile my Marriage-Bed, And wrong my wedded Husband Shore, Whom I had lov'd ten Years before.

In Heart and Mind I did rejoyce, That I had made fo fweet a Choice; And therefore did my State resign, To be King Edward's Concubine.

From City then to Court I went, To reap the Pleasures of Content; And had the Joys that Love could bring, And knew the Secrets of a King.

When I was thus advanc'd on high,
Commanding Edward with mine Eye,
For Mistress Blague I in short space,
Obtain'd a Living from his Grace.

No Friend I had but in fhort time
I made unto Promotion climb;
But yet for all this coftly Pride,
My Husband could not me abide.

His Bed, tho' wronged by a King,
His Heart with deadly Grief did fting:
From England then he goes away,
To end his Life upon the Sea.

He could not live to fee his Name Impaired by my wanton Shame; Altho' a Prince of Peerless Might Did reap the Pleasure of his Right.

Long time I lived in the Court,
With Lords and Ladies of great fort;
And when I fmil'd all Men were glad,
But when I mourn'd my Prince grew fad.

But yet an honest Mind I bore
To helpless People, that were poor;
I ftill redrefs'd the Orphan's Cry,
And fav'd their Lives condemn'd to dye.

I ftill had ruth on Widow's Tears,
I fuccour'd Babes of tender Years;
And never look'd for other Gain,
But Love and Thanks for all my Pain.

At laft my Royal King did dye,
And then my Days of Woe grew nigh;
When Crook back'd Richard got the Crown,
King Edward's Friends were foon put down.

I then was punifh'd for my Sin,
That I fo long had lived in ;
Yea, every one that was his Friend,
This Tyrant brought to fhameful End.

Then for my rude and wanton Life,
That made a Strumpet of a Wife,
I Penance did in Lombardflreet,

In fhameful manner in a Sheet.

Where many Thousands did me view, Who late in Court my Credit knew ; Which made the Tears run down my Face To think upon my foul Difgrace.

Not

Not thus content, they took from me
My Goods, my Livings, and my Fee,
And charg'd that none should me relieve,
Nor any Succour to me give.

Then unto Mistress Blague I went,
To whom my Jewels I had fent,
In hope thereby to ease my Want,
When Riches fail'd, and Love grew fcant.

But she deny'd to me the fame, When in my Need for them I came ; To recompence my former Love, Out of her Doors fhe did me shove.

So Love did vanish with my State,
Which now my Soul repents too late;
Therefore Example take by me,
For Friendship parts in Poverty.

But yet one Friend among the rest,
Whom I before had seen diftrefs'd,
And fav'd his Life, condemn'd to dye,
Did give me Food to fuccour me.

For which, by Law, it was decreed,
That he was hanged for that Deed;
His Death did grieve me so much more,
Than had I dy'd my self therefore.

Then those to whom I had done good,
Durft not restore me any Food;
Whereby in vain I begg'd all Day,
And still in Streets by Night I lay.

My Gowns befet with Pearl and Gold,
Were turn'd to fimple Garments old;
My Chains and Jems and golden Rings,
To filthy Rags and loathfome Things.