T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Sylvia a May Roving
Anonymous(A Broadside Song with music, c. 1720) CURIOSITY made Sylvia Seek the various Flowers of May | |
| When Spring the op’ning Buds does break in Blossoms sweet and Gay. | |
| Her pleased and lovely Eyes intent, a Beauteous Bank Espied, | |
| Where Curious nature Chiefly meant to Manifest her Pride. | |
| Hard by the Brooks and murmuring stream, | 5 |
| The Silver Current Plaid, | |
| And Phœbus with his brightest Beams | |
| The Morning had arrayed, | |
| The whispering Zephyrs gently blow, | |
| A cool and Pleasant Breeze, | 10 |
| To shake the Clust’ring pearly Dews | |
| From off the verdant Trees. | |
| Delighted was the Rural Maid, | |
| And did her Joys Express, | |
| To see each Meadow and each glade, | 15 |
| Adorned in such a dress, | |
| Her snowy Fingers called and wrest, | |
| The Flowers of the Mead, | |
| To make a Posie for her Breast, | |
| That did their sweets exceed. | 20 |
| But Musing as she walked along, | |
| She heard with great Surprise, | |
| Soft accents break in to a Song, | |
| But where could not devise, | |
| She cast her beamy Eyes around, | 25 |
| And thought that from the Shade, | |
| Proceeded the Harmonious sound, | |
| That did her ease invade. | |
| The melting voice did please so well | |
| That unalarmed by fear, | 30 |
| Down on a Flow’ry Bank she fell | |
| And lent her Ravished Ear, | |
| O Love, O Nature, then she cried, | |
| What Strength can Woman boast | |
| When you much Greater do provide, | 35 |
| That we may quite be lost. | |
| At this young Strephon straight appear’d. | |
| How Great was then her Joy, | |
| How Small, how careless was the fear | |
| This did her Breast imploy, | 40 |
| He wond’ring saw her Case was such, | |
| To Blush and then turn Pale, | |
| But then he ailed himself too much, | |
| To ask what She did ail. | |
| Confused he Pressed her in his Arms, | 45 |
| She knew not what he did, | |
| She gave up all her Virgin Charms, | |
| And nothing could forbid, | |
| To Gather Flowers the pretty Maid, | |
| Came Innocently Thither, | 50 |
| Tho’ some malicious Tongues have said, | |
| ’Twas to be Gathered rather. | |