'Ephelia' (17th Cent.?). Song: "You wrong me, Strephon, when you say." J. C. Squire, ed. 1921. A Book of Women's Verse

J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.

Song: “You wrong me, Strephon, when you say”

By ‘Ephelia’ (17th Cent.?)


YOU wrong me, Strephon, when you say,
I’m jealous or severe,
Did I not see you kiss and play
With all you came a-near?
Say, did I ever chide for this,	5
Or cast one jealous eye
On the bold nymphs, that snatch’d my bliss
While I stood wishing by.

Yet though I never disapproved
This modish liberty,	10
I thought in them you only loved
Change and variety:
I vainly thought my charms so strong,
And you so much my slave,
No nymph had power to do me wrong,	15
Or break the chains I gave.

But when you seriously address
With all your winning charms,
Unto a servile shepherdess,
I’ll throw you from my arms:	20
I’d rather choose you should make love
To every face you see,
Than Mopsa’s dull admirer prove,
And let her rival me.