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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  The Willing Maid, a Day Too Young

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

The Willing Maid, a Day Too Young

Anonymous
 
(From A Choice Garland, c. 1790)

AS I was walking one May Morning,
I leaned my back up to a tree,
There I was aware of a pretty young maid,
Come tripping over the lee to me. fal, fal.
 
She was as fair to look upon,        5
As any pretty maid under the sun,
I asked her then how she was,
But she smiled and said I’m a day too young.
 
I am too young to be your bride,
I am too young to lie by your side,        10
It will bring disgrace to all my kin,
Therefore my love you ne’er shall win.
 
He clasped her round the middle so small,
And gently laid her on the ground,
It was once or twice he served her so,        15
And he found she was not a day too young.
 
Now, kind sir, you have had your will
And robbed me of my virginity,
O pray young man come tell to me,
When our wedding day must be.        20
 
My wedding day does not trouble me,
I ne’er intend to marry thee,
Of all the pastime we have had,
You have had your share as well as me.
 
As you have brewed so you must bake,        25
And draw your ale when it is new,
Go carry your baby home to your mam,
And tell her you were not a day too young.
 
I wish to God my babe was born,
And smiling on his daddy’s knee,        30
And I myself laid in my grave,
And the green grass growing over me.