T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Maidens Denial
Anonymous(From Sportive Wit; the Muses’ Merriment, 1656) |
NAY, pish! nay, phew! nay, faith and will you? fie! | |
A gentleman and use me thus! I’ll cry. | |
Nay, God’s body, what means this? Nay, fie for shame, | |
Nay, faith, away! Nay, fie, you are to blame. | |
Hark! somebody comes! hands off, I pray! | 5 |
I’ll pinch, I’ll scratch, I’ll spurn, I’ll run away. | |
Nay, faith, you strive in vain, you shall not speed. | |
You mar my ruff, you hurt my back, I bleed. | |
Look how the door stands ope, somebody sees! | |
Your buttons scratch, in faith you hurt my knees. | 10 |
What will men say? Lord, what a coil is here! | |
You make me sweat; i’ faith, here’s goodly gear. | |
Nay, faith, let me entreat you, if you list; | |
You mar my clothes, you tear my smock, but, had I wist | |
So much before, I would have shut you out. | 15 |
Is it a proper thing you go about? | |
I did not think you would have used me this, | |
But now I see I took my aim amiss. | |
A little thing would make me not be friends: | |
You’ve used me well! I hope you’ll make amends. | 20 |
Hold still, I’ll wipe your face, you sweat amain: | |
You have got a goodly thing with all your pain. | |
Alas! how hot am I! what will you drink? | |
If you go sweating down what will men think? | |
Remember, sir, how you have used me now; | 25 |
Doubtless ere long I will be meet with you. | |
If any man but you had used me so, | |
Would I have put it up? in faith, sir, no. | |
Nay, go not yet; stay here and sup with me, | |
And then at cards we better shall agree. | 30 |