T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Sally Sweetbread’s Soliloquy
By Henry Carey (1687?–1743)(Sung by Mrs. Roberts in the character of a Butcher’s Wife) |
NOW ye good man’s from home, | |
| I would cast away care; | |
| And with some brisk Fellow, | |
| Steal out to the Fair; | |
| But some are too bashful, | 5 |
| And others too bold | |
| And Women’s intentions, | |
| Are not to be told. | |
| But could I once meet | |
| With a Spark to my mind, | 10 |
| One fit to be trusted, | |
| I then might prove kind; | |
| With him I’d steal out | |
| And we’d range the Fair round, | |
| Both eating and drinking | 15 |
| The best could be found. | |
| O there I should see | |
| All the Gentlemen Rakes, | |
| And hear the sweet cry | |
| Of Bear, Ale, Wine and Cakes; | 20 |
| While I in blue Apron | |
| And clean Linen Gown; | |
| Do allure the fine Sparks | |
| From the Flirts of the Town. | |
| There’s Fielding and Oates, | 25 |
| And there’s Bullock and Hall | |
| A Pinchbeck and Fawks | |
| And the Devil and all: | |
| I’d have the best places, | |
| I’d see ev’ry Sight; | 30 |
| And wanton in pleasure, | |
| From Morning till Night. | |
| Then home got secure | |
| E’er my Husband comes back, | |
| And cry most demure | 35 |
| “What d’ye buy, what d’ye lack?” | |
| What tho’ I’ve been cheery, | |
| Gallanted, and kissed? | |
| No harm to my Deary, | |
| If nothing is missed. | 40 |