| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | Lie Alone | | Anonymous |
| | (From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 200 of MS.) |
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CAN any one tell what I ail? | |
| That I look so lean, so wan, so pale. | |
| If I may be their Judge, I think there is none | |
| That can any longer lie alone. | |
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| Was ever woman’s case like mine? | 5 |
| At fifteen years [I] began to pine; | |
| So unto this plight now I am grown, | |
| I can, nor will, no longer lie alone. | |
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| If dreams be true, then Ride I can; | |
| I lack nothing but a man, | 10 |
| For ’tis only he can ease my moan. | |
| I can, nor will, &c. | |
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| When day is come, I wish for night; | |
| When night is come, I wish for light; | |
| Thus all my time I sigh and moan. | 15 |
| I can, nor will, &c. | |
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| To woo the first, ashamed am I; | |
| For and if he ask I will not deny; | |
| For the case is such I must needs have one. | |
| I can, nor will, &c. | 20 |
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| Therefore my prayer, it shall be still | |
| That I may have one that will work my will; | |
| For it is only he can ease me anon, | |
| And therefore I’ll no longer lie alone. | | | |
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