Hi,

This appears to be one of the earliest related texts, the English broadside called 'The Unkind Parents, or, The Languishing Lamentation of two Loyal Lovers'. It was printed for C. Bates, next the Crown-Tavern in West-Smithfield. The Bodleian dates Bates' operation to "between 1685 and 1714."

Here are two of sixteen verses:

Now fare thou well my Dearest Dear, and fare thou well a while,
Altho' I go, I'll come again; if I go ten thousand mile,
Dear Love, if I go ten thousand mile.


Mountains and Rocks on wings shall fly, and roaring Billows burn.
E're I will act Disloyalty; then wait for my return,
Dear Love, then wait for my return.

You can see the elements turning, in the last of the two above.

Richie