The Miller of Whittingham Mill- (Edin) 1793 Chapbook
[From: A chapbook--"The History, Witty Questions and Answers, of that noted Philosopher, the Miller of Whittingham Mill, and Betty Puslem his wife." Published Edinburgh, 1793. Also "The tragical ballad of the miller of Whittingham Mill. Or, a warning to all young men and maidens," Glasgow, printed by J. & M. Robertson, 1800.
"The Miller of Whittingham Mill" has 47 stanzas, 3 more than most standard long broadsides. It is missing stanza 2, and has a different last line of 8. Additionally, it adds 4 stanzas near the end:
42 The ruin of innocence let ne’er,
like mine your study be;
But when that Satan tempts you fore,
from his suggestions flie.
43 Likewise young women all take care,
how you your charms do yield,
By doing so too soon you lose,
your virtue and your shield.
44 When men do tempt you to this guilt,
remember with a sigh,
That horrid and most barbarous crime,
for which I now must die.
46 Me pardon for the bloody deed,
for which I’m doom’d to death,
And let my tears flow fast therefore,
e’er I resign my breath.
for which there are no corresponding stanzas.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Miller of Whittingham Mill
1 YOUNG men and maidens all give ear,
to what I now relate;
O mark you well and you shall hear
of my unhappy fate.
2 My tender parents brought me up,
provided for me well;
And in the town of Whittingham,
did place me in a mill.
3 By chance I met an Oxford lass,
I cast a wanton eye;
And promis’d I would marry her,
if she with me would lie.
4 But to the world I do declare,
with sorrow, grief, and woe,
This folly brought us in a snare,
and wrought our overthrow.
5 This damsel came to me and said,
by you I am with child;
I hope dear John you’ll marry me,
for you have me defil’d.
6 Soon after that her mother came,
as you shall understand.
And often times persuaded me,
to marry out of hand.
7 And thus perplexed ev’ry day
I could no comfort find;
To make away this creature then,
my wicked heart inclin’d.
8 About a mouth since Christmas last,
O cursed be that day!
The devil then did me persuade,
to take her life away.
9 I call’d her from her sister’s house,
at eight o’clock at night ;
Poor creature she did little dread,
I bore her any spite.
10 I told her if she’d walk with me,
in the fields a little way,
We both together would agree;
and fix our wedding day.
11 Thus I deluded her along,
unto a private place;
Then pull’d a stick out from the hedge,
and struck her on the face.
12 Then she fell on her bended knees,
and did for mercy cry, ---
For Heaven’s sake don’t murder me,
I am not fit to die.
13 Yet I on her no pity had,
but wounded her full sore,
Until I that life took away,
which I could ne’er restore.
14 With many grievous shriek and groan,
she did resign her breath,
And in this way most barbarous,
I put my love to death.
15 And then I took her by the hair,
to cover the foul sin,
I dragg’d her to a river side
her body threw therein.
16 Thus in the blood of innocence,
my hands were deeply dy’d,
And stained with her purple gore,
who should have been my bride.
17 Then home into my mill I run,
but sorely was amazed,
My man he thought I’d mischief done,
and straugly[strangely] on me gaz’d.
18 O what’s the matter then he cry’d,
you look as pale as death,
What makes you shake and tremble so,
as tho’ you’d lost your breath.
19 How came you by that blood upon,
your trembling hands and clothes,
I quickly then reply'd to him,
by bleeding at my nose.
20 I wislifully upon him looked,
but very little said;
And snatch’d the candle from his hand,
and went unto my bed.
21 Where I lay trembling all the night,
For I could take no rest,-—
Thought perfect flames of hell did flash
Within my guilty breast.
22 Next day, the damsel being miss’d,
And no where to be found,
Then I was apprehended soon,
And to th’ assizes bound.
23 Her sister did against me swear,
She reason had no doubt,
that I had made away with her,
Because I called her out,
24 But Satan still did me persuade,
I stifly should deny;
Quoth he, there is no witness can
Against thee testify.
25 But when her mother she did cry,
I cunningly did say,
On purpose for to frighten me,
She’d sent the child away.
26 I published in the news-paper.
My wretchedness to blind,
Two guineas any one should have,
That could this damsel find.
27 But heaven had a watchful eye.
And brought it so about,
That tho’ I stifly did deny,
This murder should come out.
28 The very day before the assize,
Her body it was found,
Floating before her brother's door,
At Hillsferry town.
29 A second time then I was seiz‘d,
To Oxford brought with speed;
And there examined again.
About this bloody deed.
30 The Corner and jury both
Together did agree
That this damsel was murdered,
And made away by me.
31 The Justice then perceiv'd my guilt,
No longer would take bail;
But the next morning I was brought
Away to Ridding jail.
32 When I was brought before the judge,
My man did testify,
That blood upon my hands and deaths
He did that night espy.
33 The justice told the jury then,
The circumstance was plain ;
Look on the pris'ner at the bar,
He has this creature slain.
34 About the murder at the first,
The jury did divide;
But when they brought the verdict in
All of them guilty cry'd
35 The jailor took and bound me strait,
As soon as I was cast;
He carry‘d me to prison strong,
And there did lay me fast.
36 With fetters strong then I was bound.
And shin-bolted was I;
Yet I the murder would nor own
But did it still deny.
37 My father then on me prevails,
My kindred then likewise.
To own the murder, which I did
To them with wat'ry eyes.
38 My father then he did me blame,
Saying my son, O! why
hast thou thus brought thyself to shame
And all thy family?
39 Father, I own the the crime I did,
I guilty am indeed
This cruel act I must confess,
Does make my heart to bleed.
40 The worst of deaths I do deserve,
My crime it is so base;
For I no mercy show'd to her,—-
Most wretched is my case.
41 Young men be warned by my fall,
All filthy lusts defy;
By giving way to wickedness,
Alas ! this day[1] I die ;
42 The ruin of innocence let ne’er,
like mine your study be;
But when that Satan tempts you fore,
from his suggestions flie.
43 Likewise young women all take care,
how you your charms do yield,
By doing so too soon you lose,
your virtue and your shield.
44 When men do tempt you to this guilt,
remember with a sigh,
That horrid and most barbarous crime,
for which I now must die.
45 Lord grant me grace while here I stay,
that I may now repent,
Before I from this wicked world,
most shamefully am sent.
46 Me pardon for the bloody deed,
for which I’m doom’d to death,
And let my tears flow fast therefore,
e’er I resign my breath,
47 O wash my crimson sins away,
which have been manifold.
Have mercy upon me I pray,
and so receive my soul.
FINIS
1. print hard to read, possibly a mistake by printer.