T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
As I Sat at My Spinning-Wheel
Anonymous(A Song from Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719) |
AS I sat at my Spinning-Wheel, | |
A bonny Lad there passed by, | |
I kenned him round, and I liked him weel, | |
Geud Feth he had a bonny Eye: | |
My Heart new panting, ’gan to feel, | 5 |
But still I turned my Spinning-Wheel. | |
Most gracefully he did appear, | |
As he my Presence did draw near, | |
And round about my slender waist | |
He clasped his Arms, and me embraced: | 10 |
To kiss my Hand he down did kneel, | |
As I sat at my Spinning-Wheel. | |
My Milk white hand he did extol, | |
And praised my Fingers long and small, | |
And said, there was no Lady fair, | 15 |
That ever could with me compare: | |
Those pleasing Words my Heart did feel, | |
But still I turned my Spinning-Wheel. | |
Altho’ I seemingly did chide, | |
Yet he would never be denied, | 20 |
But did declare his Love the more, | |
Until my Heart was Wounded sore; | |
That I my Love could scarce conceal, | |
But yet I turned my Spinning-Wheel. | |
As for my Yarn, my Rock and Reel, | 25 |
And after that my Spinning-Wheel, | |
He bid me leave them all with Speed | |
And gang with him yonder Mead: | |
My panting Heart strange Flames did feel, | |
Yet still I turned my Spinning-Wheel. | 30 |
He stopped and gazed, and blithely said, | |
Now Speed the Wheel, my bonny Maid, | |
But if thou’st to the Hay-Cock go, | |
I’ll learn thee better Work I trow, | |
Geud Feth, I lik’d him passing weel, | 35 |
But still I turned my Spinning-Wheel. | |
He lowly veiled his Bonnet oft, | |
And sweetly kist my Lips so soft; | |
Yet still between each Honey Kiss, | |
He urged me on to farther Bliss: | 40 |
’Till I resistless Fire did feel, | |
Then let alone my Spinning-Wheel. | |
Among the pleasant Cocks of Hay, | |
Then with my bonny Lad I lay, | |
What Damsel ever could deny, | 45 |
A Youth with such a Charming Eye? | |
The Pleasure I cannot reveal, | |
It far surpast the Spinning-Wheel. | |