The Berkshire Trgedy- (Lon) c.1700 broadside Antiq- Bodleian
["The Berkshire Trgedy; Or, the Wittam Miller: with an Account of His Murdering His Sweetheart," dated c. 1700; Bodleian, ESTC: T204012; Antiq c. E9 (125); and see: Roxburghe. Also another early date is John Cluer/Dicey as printed and sold at No. 4, Aldermary Churchyard c. 1720s (possibly referenced by Google Books, although no printer is named-- the date is 1720).
The c.1700 date is an approximation at best. The Post Boy is mentioned in the text--The Post Boy was published 1695-1728, Daily Post boy 1728-1736.
This is 44 quatrains which is three less than "The miller of Whittingham Mill" and purportedly (according to Bodleian) is dated c. 1700 which makes it the earliest copy. The title has Tragedy spelled incorrectly. A copy is at the bottom of the page.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Berkshire Trgedy- (Lon) c.1700 broadside Antiq- Bodleian
1 YOung men and maidens all give ear,
unto what I now relate;
O mark you well, and you shall hear
of my unhappy fate.
2 Near famous Oxford town,
I first did draw my breath,
O! that I had been cast away,
in an untimely birth.
3 My tender parents brought me up,
provided for me well;
And in the Town of Wittam then[1],
they plac'd me in a Mill.
4 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.
5 But to the world I do declare,
with sorrow, grief, and woe,
This folly brought us in a snare,
and wrought our overthrow.
6 O, the 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.
7 Soon after that her mother came,
as you shall understand,
And oftentimes did me persuade,
to wed her out of hand.
8 And thus perplex't on every side,
I could no comfort find;
So to make away this creature,
A thought came to my mind.
9 About a month since Christmas last,
oh! cursed be the day,
The devil then did me persuade,
to take her life away.
10 I call’d her from her sister’s door,
at eight o’clock at night ;
Poor creature she did little dream,
I ow'd her any spight[2].
11 I told her if she’d walk with me,
aside[2] a little way,
We both together would agree;
about our wedding- day.
12 Thus I deluded her again,
unto a private place:
Then took a stick out of the hedge,
and struck her in the face.
13 But she fell on her bended knee,
and did for mercy cry,
For Heaven’s sake don’t murder me,
I am not fit to die.
14 But I on her no pity took,
but wounded her full sore,
Until her life away I took,
which I can ne’er restore
15 With many grievous shriek and cries,
she did resign her breath,
And in inhuman and barbarous sort,
I put my love to death.
16 And then I took her by the hair,
to cover this foul sin,
I drag’d her to a river side
Then threw her body in.
17 Thus in the blood of innocence,
my hands were deeply dy’d,
And shined in her purple gore,
That should have been my bride.
18 Then home into my Mill I ran,
but sopely[sorely] was amaz'd,
My man he thought I had mischief done,
and strangely on me gaz’d.
19 Oh! what’s the matter then said he?
you look as pale as death,
What makes you shake and tremble so,
as though you had lost your breath.
20 How came you by that blood upon,
your trembling hands and cloaths?
I presently to him reply'd,
by bleeding at the nose.
21 I wishfully upon him look'd,
but little to him said
But snatch’d the candle from his hand,
and went unto my bed.
22 Where I lay trembling all the night,
For I could take no rest,
And perfect flames of hell did flash
Wishing [4] my guilty breast fa[ ].
23 Next day, the damsel being miss’d,
And no where to be found,
Then I was apprehended soon,
And to the Assizes bound.
24 Her sister did against me swear,
She reason had no doubt,
That I had made away with her,
Because I call'd her out,
25 [B]ut Satan still did me persuade,
I stifly should deny;
Quoth he, there is no witness can
Against thee testify.
26 Now when her mother did her cry,
I scoffingly did say,
On purpore then to frighten me,
She sent the child away.
27 I published in the Post boy then
my wickedness to blind,
Five guineas any one should have,
That could her body find.
28 But heaven had a watchful eye.
And brought it so about,
That though I stifly did deny,
This murder would come out.
29 The very day before the Assize,
Her body it was found,
Floating before her father's door,
At Hindley Ferry Town.
30 So I the second time was seiz‘d,
To Oxford brought with speed;
And there examined again.
About the bloody deed.
31 The Coroner and Jury both
together did agree
That this damsel was made away,
And murdered by me.
32 The Justice too perceiv'd the guilt,
nor longer would take bail;
But the next morning I was sent
Away to Reading Goal.
33 When I was brought before the Judge,
my Man did testify,
That blood upon my hands and breast
that night He did espy.
34 The Judge told the jury then,
the circumstance is plain,
Look on the Prisoner at the bar,
he hath this creature slain.
35 About the murder at the first,
the Jury did divide;
But when they brought the Verdict in
all of them guilty cry'd.
36 The Jailor took and bound me strait,
As soon as I was cast;
He then within the Prison strong,
And there did lay me fast.
37 With fetters strong then I was bound.
and shin-bolted was I ;
Yet I the Murder would nor own
but did it still deny.
38 My father did on me prevail,
my kindred all likewise.
To own the Murder, which I did
To them with watery eyes.
39 My father then he did me blame,
saying my son, oh! why
Has you thus brought yourself to shame
And all Your Family?
40 Father, I own the the crime I did,
I guilty am indeed
This cruel fact I must confess,
doth make my heart to bleed.
41 The worst of deaths I do deserve,
my crime it is so base;
For I no mercy shew'd to her,—-
Most wretched is my case.
42 Lord grant me grace while I do stay,
that I may now now[] repent,
Before I from this wicked world,
most shamefully am sent.
43 Young men take warning by my fall,
All filthy lusts defy;
By giving way to wickedness,
Alas ! this day I die ;
44 Lord wash my hateful sins away,
which have been manifold.
Have mercy upon me [I] thee pray,
and Christ receive my soul.
1. "Wittham" is close to Oxford. "Wittam then" resembles the Scotch broadside "Whittingham."
2. spite
3. in the fields
4. Within my guilty breast.
