Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Come to It at Last

Roxburghe Ballads

Or, The Successful Adventurer (Anonymous; from Vol. III)   In vain resistances when Love designs, He by compulsion or compliance joins; Laughs at what e’re opposes his decree, And [when he] says must, that must surely be.

“TELL me, Jenny, tell me roundly,
When you will your heart surrender;
Faith and troth I’ll love you soundly,
’Tis I that was the first Pretender.
Ne’er say nay, nor delay,	5
Here’s my heart, and here’s my hand too;
All that’s mine shall be thine,
Body and goods at your command too.”
“Ah! how many maids,” quoth Jenny,
“Have you promised to be true to?	10
Fie! I think the devil’s in you
To kiss a body so as you do!
What d’ye do? let me go,
I can’t abide such foolish doing;
Get you gone, you naughty man,	15
Fie! Is this your way of wooing?”
“Prithee Jenny, don’t deny me;
Whence this coyness? Why these blushes?
Sure you use them but to try me,
And they suit not with your wishes:	20
Do not frown, but sit down
On this primrose bed, my sweeting,
And, my love, this shall prove
To thee and me a happy meeting.”
“How many maids that have believed	25
This,” quoth Jenny, “as your meaning?
Have you heretofore deceived?
Yet you think it is no sinning.
Fie! I say, stand away!
Naughty man, I hate such fooling!	30
Fie! O sad! I think you’re mad
To rumple a body thus with pulling.”
“’Tis unkind you thus deny me,
When I tell you that I love ye;
Sit you down, and do but try me,	35
And you better will approve me.
Come, my Jenny, best of any,
In your true-love’s arms I’ll place you;
Sigh not thus, but let’s buss,
Love and Hymen both shall grace you.”	40
“This,” quoth Jenny, “is but your saying,
You men are false, ’tis often proved so;
Poor maids you long to be betraying;
Oh! fie! I won’t be loved so.
What d’ye do? let me go;	45
Fie! naughty man! fie! let me loose:
Oh! bless me, how you press me,
I think you’re wild to hug one thus.”
“In your eyes I see a yielding,
I prithee do not thus dissemble;	50
Nor your heart with doubt be shielding,
But the Queen of Love resemble,
See, my arms wait your charms;
And I must have no denial;
Say not nay, nor delay,	55
But of my passion make a trial.”
“What is it you would be doing?
Pish, I can no longer tarry;
Nay, forbear, is this your wooing?
Avads, I would not till I marry!	60
Nay, I won’t! pray now, don’t!
Oh me! fie! nay ’tis evil!
Oh! What’s this? I profess
You grow more and more uncivil.”
“The God of Love gives commission,	65
And these pleasant shades invite us;
Nay, you must grant my kind petition,
Since to love all things incite us.
My dear heart, do not start,
Joys attend you, transports seize you;	70
Still to you I’ll be true,
In your arms, thus ever please you.”
“Oh! you hurt me; nay, forbear now;
What d’ye do? you have betrayed me;
Oh, I’m ruined!—and I fear now	75
You’re about for to un-maid me.
Take your course, use your force,
Kill me, kill me, if you please;
Nay, I’ll die willingly,
In this sweet death I find such ease.”	80