Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

The Old Woman’s Wish

Anonymous

(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1684)

AS I went by an Hospital,
I heard an Old Woman cry,
Kind Sir, quoth she, be kind to me,
Once more before I Die,
And grant to me those Joys,	5
That belong to Woman-kind,
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
I find an itching in my Blood,
Altho’ it be something Cold,	10
Therefore Good Man do what you can,
To comfort me now I’m Old.
And Grant to me those Joys,
That belong to Woman-kind,
And the Fates above Reward your Love,	15
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
Altho’ I cannot see the Day,
Nor never a glance of light;
Kind Sir, I swear and do declare,
I honour the Joys of Night:	20
Then grant to me those Joys,
That belong to Woman-kind,
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
When I was in my Blooming Youth,	25
My vigorous Love was Hot;
Now in my Age I dare Engage,
A fancy I still have got:
Then give to me those Joys,
That belong to Woman-kind,	30
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
You shall miss of a Reward,
If Readily you comply;
Then do not Blush but touch my flesh,	35
This minute before I die:
O let me taste those Joys,
That belong to Woman-kind,
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.	40
I Forty Shillings would freely give,
’Tis all the Money I have;
Which I full long have begged for,
To carry me to my Grave:
This I would give to have the Bliss,	45
That belongs to Woman-kind,
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
I had a Husband in my Youth,
As very well ’tis known,	50
The truth to tell he pleased me well,
But now I am left alone;
And long to taste the good Old Game,
That belongs to Woman-kind:
And the Fates above Reward your Love,	55
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
If Forty Shillings will not do,
My Petticoat and my Gown;
Nay Smock also shall freely go,
To make up the other Crown:	60
Then Sir, pray Grant that kind Request,
That belongs to Woman-kind;
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
Tho’ I am Fourscore Years of Age,	65
I love with a Right good Will;
And what in truth I want in Youth,
I have it in perfect Skill:
Then grant to me that Charming Bliss,
That belongs to Woman-kind;	70
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.
Now if you do not pleasure me,
And give me the thing I crave;
I do protest I shall not rest,	75
When I am laid in my Grave:
Therefore kind Sir, grant me the Joys,
That belong to Woman-kind;
And the Fates above Reward your Love,
To an Old Woman Poor and Blind.	80