T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
O Nay! O Nay! Not Yet
Anonymous(From The Percy Folio Manuscript, 1620–50) |
A YOUNG man walking alone, | |
Abroad to take the air, | |
It was his chance for him to meet | |
A maiden passing fair. | |
Desiring her of courtesy | 5 |
Awhile with him down sit; | |
She answered him most modestly, | |
“O nay! O nay! not yet!” | |
“Forty crowns I will give thee, | |
Sweetheart, in good red gold, | 10 |
If that I may thy favour have, | |
Thy beauty to behold.” | |
And then she spoke now readily | |
And with a ready wit, | |
“I will not sell my honesty | 15 |
O nay! O nay! not yet!” | |
“Gold and money is but dross, | |
And worldly vanity; | |
I do esteem more of the loss | |
Of my virginity! | 20 |
But dost thou think I am so mad, | |
Or of so little wit | |
As for to sell my honesty? | |
O nay! O nay! not yet!” | |
The way to win a woman’s heart, | 25 |
Is quickly to be brief, | |
And give her that with-in few words | |
That will soon ease her grief. | |
“O fye! O fye! away!” she’ll cry, | |
That loves a dainty bit, | 30 |
“I will not yield to Cupid’s laws! | |
O nay! O nay! not yet!” | |