| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | A Dialogue between a Town Spark and His Miss | | Anonymous |
| | (From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719)
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| | She. | Did you not promise me when you lay by me, | |
| That you would marry me; can you deny me? | |
| He. | If I did promise thee, ’twas but to try thee, | |
| Call up your Witnesses, else I defie thee. | |
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| She. | Ah, who would trust you men that swear and vow so, | 5 |
| Born only to deceive, how can you do so? | |
| He. | If we can swear and lie, you can dissemble, | |
| And then to hear the Lie, would make one tremble. | |
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| She. | Had I not loved, you had found a Denial, | |
| My tender Heart, alas, was but too real; | 10 |
| He. | Real I know you were, I’ve often tried ye, | |
| Real to forty more Lovers beside me. | |
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| She. | If thousands lov’d me, where was my transgression, | |
| You were the only He, e’er got Possession? | |
| He. | Thou could’st talk prettily, e’er thou could’st go, Child: | 15 |
| But I’m too old and wise to be shamed so, Child. | |
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| She. | Tho’ y’are so cruel you’ll never believe me, | |
| You do but take the Child, all I forgive thee. | |
| He. | Send your Kid home to me, I will take care on’t, | |
| If’t has the Mother’s Gifts, ’twill prove a rare one. | 20 | | |
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