T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

A Song: “As I walked forth one May morning”

By Susanna Centlivre (1667?–1723)

(From The Platonick Lady, a Comedy, Act II. 1761)

AS I walked forth one May morning,
I heard a pretty maid sweetly sing
As she sat under the cow a-milking,
Shall I be married a Tuesday;
I mun look smug upon Tuesday.	5

I prithee sweetheart what makes thee to marry,
Is your maidenhead grown a burden to carry?
Or are you afraid that you will miscarry?
I prithee now tarry till Wednesday.

I pray, good Sir, don’t wish me such ill,	10
I have kept it these seven years against my own will;
I have made a vow, and I will it fulfill,
That I will be married on Tuesday,
So I mun look smug upon Tuesday.

On Tuesday morn it will be all my care	15
To powder my locks and to curl up my hair,
And two pretty maids for to wait on me there;
So I mun look smug on Tuesday,
So fine and so smug on Tuesday.

Then two young men to the church will me bring,	20
Where my husband will give me a gray gold ring,
But at night he will give me a far better thing.
So I mun look smug on Tuesday,
So fine and so smug on Tuesday.