T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
When Scorching Phœbus
Percy’s Folio Manuscript(Anonymous) WHEN scorching Phœbus he did mount,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| Then Lady Venus went to hunt, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| To whom Diana did resort, | 5 |
| With all the Ladies of hills and valleys, | |
| of springs and floods, | |
| To show where all the princely sport, | |
| With hound imbrued, and hearts pursued, | |
| through groves and woods. | 10 |
| This tender hearted lover’s Queen,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| Such wand’ring sports had seldom seen, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| She took no pleasure in the same, | 15 |
| To see hounds merry, and poor hearts weary | |
| for want of breath. | |
| Quoth she, “I like better that game | |
| Where ladies beauties do pay their duties | |
| to love’s sweet death.” | 20 |
| The air was hot, and she was dry,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| To Bacchus court she fast did hie— | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| Her faint and weary heart [to] cherish, | 25 |
| Which was so fired, that she desired | |
| To quench her thirst, | |
| And cried, “Help Bacchus, or else I perish!” | |
| Who still did hold her, and plainly told her | |
| he would kiss her first. | 30 |
| Then Bacchus with a power divine,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| Himself turned to a butt of wine,— | |
| Parmi les champs,— | |
| And bade this lady drink her fill, | 35 |
| And take her pleasure in any measure, | |
| and make no waste; | |
| And gave her leave to suck the quill, | |
| Which was spriteful and delightful | |
| unto her taste. | 40 |
| At last this butt did run a tilt— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| Quoth she, “One drop shall not be spilt, | |
| Parmi les champs, | |
| For it doth pleasing taste so well, | 45 |
| My heart doth will me for to fill me | |
| of this sweet Vine; | |
| I would that I might always dwell | |
| In this fair Arbor! here’s so good harbor, | |
| and pleasant wine.” | 50 |
| She drunk so long, ere she had done,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| Her belly swelled like a tun, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| At last she fell in pieces twain; | 55 |
| And being asunder, appeared a wonder, | |
| God Priapus! | |
| Yet fain she would have drunk again; | |
| And oft did visit, and much solicit | |
| God Biacchus. | 60 |
| His empty cask would yield no more,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| For she had sucked it full sore, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| Quoth she, “God Bacchus, change thy shape; | 65 |
| For now thy rigour, and all thy vigour, | |
| Is clean decayed. | |
| Behold [thou] here this new-born babe, | |
| Who when he is proved, he’ll be beloved | |
| of wife and maid.” | 70 |
| This belly god that would be drunk— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| And being a goddess, proved a punk, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| Her lusty bastard stiff and strong, | 75 |
| Was made and framed, and also named, | |
| god Bacchus heir. | |
| He had a nose three handful Long, | |
| With one eye bleared, and all besmeared | |
| about with hair. | 80 |
| He is the god of rich and poor— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps;— | |
| He openeth every woman’s door, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| He ceaseth all debate and strife, | 85 |
| And gently ’peaseth, and sweetly pleaseth | |
| the hungry womb. | |
| He is the joy twixt man and wife; | |
| Her pleasure lasteth, and sweeter tasteth | |
| than honey comb. | 90 |
| Now all you nice and dainty dames,— | |
| Tous-jour bon temps,— | |
| To use this god, think it no shame, | |
| Parmi les champs. | |
| Then let my speeches not offend, | 95 |
| Tho you be gaudy, and I be bawdy | |
| and want a rod! | |
| Good deeds shall speeches fault amend | |
| When you are willing for to be billing | |
| with this sweet god. | 100 |