T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Silly Maids
Anonymous(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) |
MAIDS are grown so Coy of late, | |
| Forsooth they will not Marry; | |
| Tho’ they’re in their Teens and past, | |
| They say they yet can tarry: | |
| But if they knew how sweet a thing | 5 |
| It is in Youth to Marry, | |
| They would sell their Hose and Smock, | |
| E’re they so long would tarry. | |
| Winter Nights are long, you know, | |
| And bitter cold the Weather, | 10 |
| Then who’s so fond to lie alone, | |
| When two may lie together? | |
| And is’t not brave when Summer comes, | |
| With all the Fields inrolled, | |
| To take a Green-Gown on the Grass, | 15 |
| And wear it uncontrolled? | |
| For she that is most Coy of all, | |
| If she had time and leisure, | |
| Would lay away severest Thoughts, | |
| And turn to Mirth and Pleasure: | 20 |
| For why, the fairest Maid sometimes | |
| Puts on the Face of Folly, | |
| And Maids do ne’er repent so much | |
| As when they are too Holy. | |