T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
As I Walked in the Woods
By Thomas Shadwell (16421692)(From The Miser, Act II, Scene 2. 1672) AS I walked in the woods one evening of late, | |
A Lass was deploring her hapless estate, | |
She sighed, and she sobbed, Ah, wretched, she said; | |
Will no youth come to succour a languishing Maid? | |
Shall I still sigh and cry, and look pale and wan, | 5 |
And languish for ever for want of a man? | |
At first when I saw a young man in the place, | |
My color would fade, and then flush in my face, | |
My breath would grow short, and I shivered all o’er; | |
I thought ’twas an Ague, but Alas it was more, | 10 |
For e’re since I’ve sighed, and do what I can, | |
I find I must languish for want of a man. | |
When in bed all the night I weep on my Pillow, | |
To see others happy, while I wear the Willow; | |
I revenge myself on the innocent sheet, | 15 |
Where in rage I have oftentimes made my Teeth meet: | |
But all this won’t serve, let me do what I can, | |
I find I must languish for want of a man. | |
Now all my fresh color deserted my face, | |
And let a pale greenness succeed in the place, | 20 |
I pine and grow faint, and refuse all my meat, | |
And nothing but Chalk, Lime, or Oatmeal, can eat: | |
But in my despair I’ll die if I can, | |
And languish no longer for want of a man. | |