T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Dick and Kate
Anonymous(From The Rattle, 1766) AS Kate was driving home her cows | |
Last May-day in the morning, | |
The birds sung sweetly on the boughs, | |
Bright Sol the hills adorning; | |
Dick overtook the rosy maid, | 5 |
With love his bosom glowing, | |
He caught her round the waist, and said, | |
“How far, Kate, are you going?” | |
“I’m going homewards (she reply’d) | |
Then, prythee, do not hold me, | 10 |
For should I here with you abide, | |
My mother she will scold me.” | |
But Dick’s bewitching artful tongue, | |
With pleasing words o’erflowing, | |
Soon gained its point, the maid was young, | 15 |
And thought no more of going. | |
Beneath an oak’s broad chequered shade | |
Young Cupid saw ’em seated; | |
And there sly Kate was not afraid | |
To grant all he entreated. | 20 |
But while love’s meadow, happy Dick, | |
With nature’s scythe was mowing; | |
She smiling cry’d, just in the nick, | |
“How far are you now going?” | |