A very poignant ballad about Captain James "Jemmy" Dawson and his unfortunate betrothed who fainted and passed away at the execution written by William Shenstone.
This was repudiated by Rev. Robert Forbes, M.A. Bishop of Ross and Caithness in The Lyon in Mourning, Volume I, p241 - Edinburgh 1746
Upon a young lady1, who died on seeing her lover, Jemmy Dawson2, executed on the 30th of July 1746.
- As the fair martyr her dear lover saw
- Lie the pale victim of inhuman law,
- His gen'rous blood distilling all around,
- And life, swift ebbing, thro' each crimson wound;
- It seemed as if from mortal passion freed
- She blest his death, for honour doom'd to bleed.
- But when, high-raised she saw the panting heart,
- Now let thy handmaid, Heav'n! she cried, depart.
- Be Judge,O Thou, whose ballance sways above!
- Receive our souls to pardon and to love!
- At once she burst the feeble bonds of clay,
- And her free soul, exulting, springs away.
- To endless bliss, they issue, out of pain.
- One moment separates, and joins again
The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45 By William Harrison Ainsworth
Book V page 270 Jemmy Dawson
In the historical romantic novel Jemmy Dawson was engaged to Monica Butler. His letter to Monica is on page 316.
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