T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Coy Shepherdess
Anonymous(Roxburgh Ballads, ii. 85; 1641–74)
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PHILLIS on the new made hay, | |
On a pleasant Summer’s day, | |
She in a wanton posture lay, | |
Thinking no Shepherd nigh her, | |
Till Amintas came that way, | 5 |
And threw himself down by her. | |
At the first she was amaz’d, | |
And with blushes on him gaz’d; | |
Her beauty bright did him invite, | |
Her shape he did admire; | 10 |
Her wanton dress could do no less | |
Then set his heart on fire. | |
Then Amintas mildly said, | |
“Phillis, be not now afraid, | |
But entertain, thy shepherd swain, | 15 |
Now we are met together; | |
Then I shall prize thy sparkling eyes | |
That did invite me hither. | |
“I have rang’d the Plains about | |
For to find my Phillis out; | 20 |
My flocks I left, of joys bereft, | |
Whilst I for thee did languish; | |
’Tis in thy will my heart to fill | |
With joy, or else with anguish.” | |
Then fair Phillis, frowning said, | 25 |
“My privacy thou hast betrayed, | |
Therefore be gone, let me alone, | |
Do not disturb my pleasure; | |
Nor do not move thy suit of love, | |
But leave me to my leisure. | 30 |
“Never yet did shepherd swain, | |
On this smooth Sicilian plain, | |
Once dare to move my deep disdain | |
By such like bold intrusion; | |
Then cease thy suit, ’tis but in vain, | 35 |
I scorn such fond delusion.” | |
When Amintas sees her frown, | |
Hoping still his joys to crown, | |
Quoth he, “My dear, as I am here, | |
I like not this behaviour; | 40 |
’Tis lover’s bliss to toy and kiss, | |
It wins a maiden’s favor. | |
“Let us, like the ivy twine, | |
And our loves in one combine; | |
Grim Pluto loved Proserpine, | 45 |
Her beauty did him fetter; | |
When thou art mine, and I am thine, | |
I’ll please thee ten times better.” | |
“Fie! for shame, fond boy,” she said, | |
“I’m resolv’d to live a maid; | 50 |
Thou art too young, to do me wrong, | |
Be not so bold to venture.” | |
Whilst he poor youth, to speak the truth, | |
Still aimed at the center. | |
Phillis blushed as red as blood, | 55 |
When his mind she understood; | |
His bold intent for to prevent, | |
She used her best endeavour; | |
His resolution it was bent, | |
For he was loath to leave her. | 60 |
Hotly he pursued the game, | |
Whilst his heart was on a flame; | |
She cry’d, “Pish, nay, fie, for shame! | |
In faith you shall not do it!” | |
But the youth her overcame, | 65 |
And eagerly fell to it. | |
Thus she strived all in vain, | |
Whilst she felt a pleasing pain; | |
Yet he by no means would refrain, | |
But kindly did embrace her; | 70 |
He kissed his love and told her plain | |
He never would disgrace her. | |
In great rage she flung away, | |
Tumbling o’er the new-made hay; | |
Whilst he asham’d and breathless lay, | 75 |
Although he then displeas’d her; | |
He rallied and renew’d the fray, | |
And manfully appeas’d her. | |
Thus they spent this crystal day | |
In such wanton sports and play; | 80 |
Amintas there, embrac’d his dear, | |
And bid her be light-hearted; | |
But night being come, they hasted home, | |
And kindly kiss’d and parted. | |