T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Disappointed Maid and Drowsy Swain
By William Pattison (17061727)(From Poetical Works, 1728) AS Dolly and her favourite Swain | |
Were interrupted by the rain, | |
From tedding out the fragrant hay; | |
Beneath a sheltering cock they lay: | |
When thus the lovely, longing jade, | 5 |
Unto the drowsy shepherd said, | |
Nay, prithee Lobby, why so sleepy? | |
Indeed, upon my word I’ll nip ye.— | |
How pretty might we sit and chat, | |
Tell o’er old stories, and all that.— | 10 |
But you—O Lord, the careless beast! | |
As if folks lie down to take rest. | |
Lab, half asleep, made no replies, | |
Or answered with a grunt her sighs. | |
While she to be revenged, arose, | 15 |
And played a tickler on his nose. | |
(But come, the virgin to disgrace, | |
Will say, ’twas in another place.) | |
Be that—as ’twill, she waked the swain, | |
And tickled him with words again. | 20 |
Come sweeting, Lobby, come, my dear, | |
I’m sure that nobody is near; | |
Indeed we may, pray be’n’t afraid, | |
Poor I am, but an harmless maid. | |
For since you’re so disposed to rest, | 25 |
Pray take a nap upon my breast. | |
You see time, leisure, place, and all, | |
For such enjoyment seem to call. | |
And you remember people say, | |
When the sun shines, then make your hay. | 30 |
Augh! aught! quoth Lob, waked with surprise, | |
To see the sun flame in his eyes. | |
Heigh Hoa! come Doll, for as you say, | |
The sun shines, we must make our hay: | |
So reach me there my rake and prong, | 35 |
’Twas well you waked—we’ve slept too long. | |