T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Courtier and Country Maid
By Thomas D’Urfey (1653–1723)(From Songs Complete, 1719) ALL you that either hear or read, | |
| This Ditty is for your Delight: | |
| ’Tis of a pretty Country Maid, | |
| And how she served a courtly Knight. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, | 5 |
| The Linnet, Nightingale and Thrush, | |
| Sat on the fresh green hawthorn Bush, | |
| And Jug, jug, jug, and twee, twee, twee, | |
| Most sweetly they did sing. | |
| This courtly Knight, when Fields were green, | 10 |
| And Sol did genial Warmth inspire, | |
| A Farmer’s Daughter late had seen, | |
| Whose Face had set his Heart on Fire, | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Off to her Father’s House he came, | 15 |
| And kindly was received there still, | |
| The more he added to his Shame, | |
| Since only ’twas to gain his Will. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| One Evening then amongst the rest | 20 |
| He came to visit the good Man, | |
| But needs must know where Clara was, | |
| And heard she was a milking gone. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Then called he for his pampered Steed, | 25 |
| With Pistols at his Saddle Bow, | |
| And to the Meadow rode with Speed, | |
| Where she was milking of her Cow. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Her pretty Hands that stroked the Teats, | 30 |
| From whence the Milk down streaming came, | |
| Informed his Thoughts of other Sweets, | |
| That more increased his raging Flame. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Then off he lights, and ties his Horse, | 35 |
| And swore she must his Pain remove, | |
| If not by fair Means, yet by Force, | |
| Since he was dying for her Love. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| The pearly Tears now trickling fall, | 40 |
| That from her bashful Eyes do flow, | |
| But that he heeded not at all, | |
| But does her straight his Pistols show. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| But first pulled out a fine gay Purse, | 45 |
| Well lined within, as she might see, | |
| And cried, before it happens worse, | |
| Be wise, and take a Golden Fee. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Oh keep your Gold, replied the Maid, | 50 |
| I will not take your golden Fee, | |
| For well you hope to be repaid, | |
| And greater Treasure take from me. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| A thundering Oath then out he sent, | 55 |
| That she should presently be dead; | |
| For were his Heart not eased, he meant | |
| Point blank to shoot her thro’ the Head. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Then making haste to seize her, went | 60 |
| And laid the Fire-Arms at her Feet, | |
| Whilst Clara seeing his Intent, | |
| Has no recourse to Aid, but Wit. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| She feigns a Smile, and clinging close, | 65 |
| Cried out, I’ve now your Courage tried, | |
| Y’have met no simple Country Mouse, | |
| My Dear, you shall be satisfied. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| My Father takes me for a Saint, | 70 |
| Tho’ weary of my Maiden Geer, | |
| That I may give you full Content, | |
| Pray look, Sir Knight, the Coast be clear. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Look out, and see who comes and goes, | 75 |
| And you shall quickly have your Will; | |
| For if my Father nothing knows, | |
| Then I shall be a Maiden still. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| The witless Knight peeps o’er the Hedge, | 80 |
| As one well pleased with what he heard, | |
| Whilst she does both the Pistols snatch, | |
| And boldly stood upon her Guard. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Keep off, keep off, Sir Fool, she cried, | 85 |
| And from this Spot of Ground retire, | |
| For if one Yard to me you stride, | |
| By my saved Maiden-head I fire. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| My Father once a Soldier was, | 90 |
| And Maids from Ravishers would free, | |
| His Daughter too, in such a Case, | |
| Can shoot a Gun as well as he. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| For Sovereign too, when Foe invades, | 95 |
| Can on Occasion bravely kill, | |
| Not shoot, like you, at harmless Maids, | |
| That won’t obey your Savage Will. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Who when the good old Man, whose Cheer | 100 |
| Showed welcome, tho’ of little cost, | |
| A Rape thought on his Daughter dear, | |
| Most grateful way to pay your Host. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| Go home, ye Fop, where Game’s not dear, | 105 |
| And for half Crown a Doxey get, | |
| But seek no more a Partridge here, | |
| You could not keep, tho’ in your Net. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |
| At this the Knight looked like a Mome, | 110 |
| He sues and vows, but vain was all, | |
| She soon conveyed the Trophies home, | |
| And hung up in her Father’s Hall. | |
| ’Twas in the flow’ry Spring, etc. | |