The Bride

A newly revived piece from the bustling streets of early‑17th‑century London, this work slipped into obscurity for centuries before a single, intact copy resurfaced in a modest German shop. Its original printing bears the quirks of its age—irregular spelling, lively misprints, and a sprightly heroic stanza that rolls in six‑line units. Listeners are treated to an authentic taste of the period’s pamphlet culture, complete with the charm of its rough edges.

The poem unfolds as a witty dialogue between a defiant “bride” and a chorus of conventional maidens, playfully turning the expectations of marriage and chastity on their heads. Its satire is sharp yet good‑natured, offering a snapshot of London’s gossip‑laden taverns and markets through the voice of a character who proudly shuns conventional virtue. Midway, the narrative veers into a brief, imaginative origin story of Merlin, introducing a mysterious “Lady Adhan” and adding a mythic flavor to the otherwise urban chatter.

Rendered in its original cadence, the reading preserves the lively rhythm and occasional bawdy humor that made the poem a popular penny‑a‑liner in its day. For anyone curious about early modern literature, the piece offers both entertainment and a window into the everyday concerns, jokes, and storytelling tricks of a bygone city.