Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Tom and Doll

Anonymous

(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719)

WHEN the Kine had given a Pail full,
And the Sheep came bleating home;
Doll who knew it would be healthful,
Went a walking with young Tom:
Hand in hand, Sir,	5
O’er the Land, Sir,
As they walked to and fro;
Tom made jolly Love to Dolly,
But was answer’d, No, no, no, no, no, &c.
Faith, says Tom, the time is fitting,	10
We shall never get the like;
You can never get from Knitting,
Whilst I’m digging in the Dike:
Now we’re gone too,
And alone too,	15
No one by to see or know;
Come, come, Dolly, prithee shall I,
Still she answered, No, no, no, no, &c.
Fie upon you Men, quoth Dolly,
In what snares you’d make us fall;	20
You’ll get nothing but the folly,
But I shall get the Devil and all:
Tom with sobs,
And some dry Bobs,
Cry’d, you’re a fool to argue so;	25
Come, come, Dolly, shall I? shall I?
Still she answered, No, no, no, no, &c.
To the Tavern then he took her,
Wine to Love’s a Friend confest
By the hand he often shook her,	30
And drank brimmers to the best, &c.
Doll grew warm,
And thought no harm;
Till after a brisk pint or two,
To what he said the silly Maid,	35
Could hardly bring out, No, no, no, no, etc.
She swore he was the prettiest Fellow
In the Country or the Town,
And began to grow so mellow,
On the Couch he laid her down;	40
Tom came to her,
For to woo her
Thinking this the time to try:
Something past so kind at last,
Her no was chang’d to I, I, I, I, I, I, &c.	45
Closely then they join’d their Faces,
Lovers you know what I mean;
Nor could she hinder his Embraces,
Love was now too far got in;
Both now lying,	50
Panting, dying,
Calms succeed the stormy Joy,
Tom would fain renew’t again,
And she consents with I, I, I, I, I, I, &c.