Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, POOR NAOMI, by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

POOR NAOMI, by                    
First Line: "come all good people, I'd have you draw near"
Last Line: So early next morning the inquest was held; / the jury correctly the murder did tell
Subject(s): Murder


Come all good people, I'd have you draw near,
A sorrowful story you quickly shall hear;
A story I'll tell you about N'omi Wise,
How she was deluded by Lewis's lies.

He promised to marry and use me quite well;
But conduct contrary I sadly must tell,
He promised to meet me at Adams's spring;
He promised me marriage and many fine things.

Still nothing he gave, but yet flattered the case.
He says we'll be married and have no disgrace,
Come get up behind me, we'll go up to town,
And there we'll be married, in union be bound.

I got up behind him and straightway did go
To the banks of Deep river where the water did flow;
He says now Naomi, I'll tell you my mind,
Intend here to drown you and leave you behind.

O pity your infant and spare me my life;
Let me go rejected and be not your wife;
No pity, no pity, this monster did cry;
In Deep river's bottom your body shall lie.

The wretch then did choke her, as we understand,
And threw her in the river below the milldam;
Be it murder or treason, O! what a great crime,
To drown poor Naomi and leave her behind.

Naomi was missing they all did well know,
And hunting for her to the river did go;
And there found her floating on the water so deep,
Which caused all the people to sigh and to weep.

The neighbors were sent for to see the great sight,
While she lay floating all that long night;
So early next morning the inquest was held;
The jury correctly the murder did tell.






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