T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Queen of May
Anonymous(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719) UPON a time I chanced to walk along a Green, | |
Where pretty Lasses danced in strife to choose a Queen; | |
Some homely dressed, some handsome, some pretty, and some gay, | |
But who excelled in Dancing, must be the Queen of May. | |
From Morning till the Evening, their Controversy held, | 5 |
And I, as Judge, stood gazing on, to Crown her that excelled; | |
At last when Phœbus Steeds had drawn their Wain away, | |
We found and crowned a Damsel to be the Queen of May. | |
Full well her Nature from her Face I did admire, | |
Her Habit well become her, altho’ in poor Attire; | 10 |
Her Carriage was so good, as did appear that Day, | |
That she was justly chosen to be the Queen of May. | |
Then all the rest in Sorrow, and she in sweet Content, | |
Gave over till the Morrow, and homewards straight they went; | |
But she of all the rest, was hindered by the way, | 15 |
For ev’ry Youth that met her, must Kiss the Queen of May. | |
At last I caught and stayed her a while with me alone, | |
And on a Bank I laid her, when all the rest were gone; | |
She fearing some Mischance, cried out, forbear I pray, | |
Yet I could still do nothing but Kiss the Queen of May. | 20 |
Thus we together tumbled at least an hour or more, | |
And like a Fool, I fumbled, as I had done before: | |
But when that Night was come, by chance I got the day, | |
And yet alas, did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
Her thoughts of coming thither, both Grief and Joy begot, | 25 |
She smiled and wept together, yet knew not well for what, | |
And still desired to go, but yet she seemed to stay, | |
Yet I alas did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
She sighed and prayed for pity that I would once give o’er, | |
Yet were her Words so Witty, they showed she wished for more: | 30 |
Then seeming to defend it, her Fort she did betray; | |
Yet I alas did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
Thus shaking Hands at last we part, but she appeared | |
Both heavy Eyed and Hearted, with that she felt and feared; | |
Then turning round we parted, she speechless went her way, | 35 |
Because I could do nothing but Kiss the Queen of May. | |