T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Maidenhead
Percy’s Folio Manuscript(Anonymous) COME, sit thee down by these cool streams, | |
| Never yet warmed by Titans beams! | |
| My tender youth thy waist shall clip, | |
| And fix upon thy Cherry lip; | |
| And lay thee down on this green bed, | 5 |
| Where thou shalt lose thy maidenhead. | |
| See how the little Phillip Sparrow, | |
| Whose joints do overflow with marrow, | |
| On yonder bough how he doth prove | |
| With his mate the joys of love, | 10 |
| And doth instruct thee, as he doth tread, | |
| How thou shalt lose thy maidenhead. | |
| O you younglings, be not nice! | |
| Coyness in maids is such a vice, | |
| That if in youth you do not marry, | 15 |
| In age young men will let you tarry. | |
| By my persuasion then be led, | |
| And lose in time thy maidenhead. | |
| Clothes that embroidered be with gold, | |
| If never worn, will quickly mold; | 20 |
| If in time you do not pluck | |
| The damisine or the Apricock, | |
| In pinching Autumn thee’ll be dead; | |
| Then lose in time thy maidenhead! | |