WILLIAM RILEY's COURTSHIP, PART SECOND

You tender hearted lovers attend unto my theme, The hardship of William Riley I mean for to explain; Who for stealing of an heiress a trial he did stand, And sentenced to be transported into a foreign land.

The daughter of squire Folgier this lady prov'd to be, Which caused William Riley this sad calamity, And maketh him in sorrow to sigh, weep and bewail, And loaded with cold irons, confin'd in Slago jail.

Like to a malefactor, transported he must be, His lady cries my jewel your face I ne'er shall see; Cruel hard hearted father, you are the only one That banish'd Wm. Riley from his dearest Collian Band.

Her father in a rage thus unto her did say, For your underhanded dealing I soon will you convey, Into a lonesome chamber where you'll repent this deed, Twelve months on bread & water I mean you there shall feed

And then into a chamber his daughter he did hide, With course sheets and blankets, and straw thereon to lie: She cries, sweet William Riley, 'tis for my sake alone, That you in grief and sorrow in Slago jail do mourn.

Three nights she in her chamber in grief & sorrow spent, And by her father's cruelty she to distraction went; She wrung her hands and tore her hair, crying my dearest dear, You're used by my father most vile, sharp and severe.

He into Bedlam then did send this lady straight, Resolving that she never more should see her mate, But in her chains to rattle, weep, lament and rave, And cry sweet Wm. Riley, you'll be sold for a slave.

She cri'd sweet Wm. Riley, if I could now you see, I from my father's anger would soon set you free; I would enclose you in my arms, from me you ne'er should part Though I lie here in Bedlam, young Riley has my heart.

We now will leave this lady to sigh, weep and bewail, And turn unto young Riley confin'd in Slago jail; Who with twenty-seven criminals to Dublin's sent away, Expecting to be transported into Botany Bay.

When into Dublin they arrived they all were sent to jail, Until the transport ship should be prepared for to sail: Poor Riley cries, 'squire Folgier, cruel hard hearted man, In Bedlam lies your daughter, my fair Collian Band.

But fortune to poor Riley happen'd to prove kind, As there he lay confin'd a thought came in his mind; A petition to the Castle he from the new prison sent Unto the Lord Lieutenant, whose heart it did relent.

With him into Bedlam straightway he went off hand, Likewise releas'd his jewel his fair Collian Band; As soon as this fair lady her truelove did behold, She in her snowy arms young Riley did enfold.

Her senses did revive—they for a parson sent, To marry this young couple to their joy and content; License from the primate was brought immediately, And there William Riley was wed to his fair lady.

A feast was then prepared which held for three days, Success attend young Riley and his fair Collian Band; Soon as her father heard it his heart it did relent And cried for my offences I sorely do repent.

There is none that can hinder what heaven does decree, Then straight off to Dublin he rode immediately; Soon as he into Dublin to the young couple came, He said my dearest children I have been to blame.

But now you shall live happy with me in Slago Town, A portion I will give you of thirty thousand pound; And as it is God's will that I have no child but she, I'll enjoy you both whilst I live in my own family.

And at my death you shall possess my whole estate & land My blessing on you Riley and your dearest Collian Band.