T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Walking in a Meadow Green
Percys Folio Manuscript(Anonymous, c. 1620–50) WALKING in a meadowe greene, | |
fayre flowers for to gather, | |
where p[r]imrose rankes did stand on bankes | |
to welcome comers thither, | |
I heard a voice which made a Noise, | 5 |
which caused me to attend it, | |
I heard a lassie say to a Ladd, | |
“Once more, & none can mend it.” | |
They lay soe close together, | |
they made me much to wonder; | 10 |
I knew not which was wether, | |
untill I saw her under. | |
then off her came, & blusht for shame | |
soe soone that he had endit; | |
yet still she lyes, & to him cryes, | 15 |
“Once More, & none can mend it.” | |
His lookes were dull & very sad, | |
his courage she had tamed; | |
she bade him play the lusty lad | |
or else he quite was shamed; | 20 |
“then stifly thrust, he hit me just, | |
fear not, but freely spend it, | |
& play about at in & out; | |
once more, & none can mend it.” | |
And then he thought to venter her, | 25 |
thinking the fit was on him; | |
but when he came to enter her, | |
the point turned back upon him. | |
Yet she said, “stay! go not away | |
although the point be bended! | 30 |
but toot again, & hit the vaine! | |
once more, & none can Mend it.” | |
Then in her Armes she did him fold, | |
& oftentimes she kist him, | |
yet still his courage was but cold | 35 |
for all the good she wisht him; | |
yet with her hand she made it stand | |
so stiff she could not bend it, | |
& then anon she cries “come on | |
once more, & none can mend it!” | 40 |
“Adieu, adieu, sweet heart,” quoth he, | |
“for in faith I must be gone.” | |
“nay, then you do me wrong,” quoth she, | |
“to leave me thus alone.” | |
Away he went when all was spent, | 45 |
whereat she was offended; | |
Like a Trojan true she made a vow | |
she would have one should mend it. | |