T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Of a Puritan
Percy’s Folio Manuscript(Anonymous, c. 1620–50) IT was a puritanical lad | |
| that was called Mathyas, | |
| And he would go to Amsterdam | |
| to speak with Ananyas. | |
| He had not gone past half a mile, | 5 |
| but he met his holy sister; | |
| He laid his bible under her breech, | |
| and merrily he kist her. | |
| “Alas! what would they wicked say?” | |
| quoth she, “if they had seen it! | 10 |
| My Buttocks they lye too low: I wisht | |
| apocrypha were in it!” | |
| “But peace, Sweetheart, or ere we part,— | |
| I speak it out of pure devotion,— | |
| By yea and nay I’ll not away | 15 |
| till thou feel my spirits motion.” | |
| They huft and puft with many heaves, | |
| till that they both were tired, | |
| “Alas!” quoth she, “you’ll spoil the leaves; | |
| my petticoats all Mired! | 20 |
| If we professors should be known | |
| to the English congregation | |
| Either at Leyden or Amsterdam, | |
| it would disgrace our nation; | |
| “But since it is, that part we must, | 25 |
| tho I am much unwilling, | |
| Good brother, lets have the t’other thrust, | |
| and take thee this fine shilling | |
| To bear thy charges as thou goes, | |
| and passage o’er the ocean.” | 30 |
| Then down she Laid, and since ’tis said, | |
| she quencht his spirits motion. | |