T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

Do You Mean

Anonymous

(From The Percy Folio Manuscript, c. 1620–50)

DO you mean to overthrow me?
Out, alas! I am betrayed!
What! is this the love you show me?
To undo a silly Maid.
Alas! I die! my heart doth break!	5
I dare not cry, I cannot speak!
What! all alone? nay then I find
Men are too strong for women kind.

Out upon the maid that put me
In this room to be alone!	10
Yet she was no fool to shut me
Where I should be seen of None.
Hark! Hark! alack! what Noise is that?
O, now I see it is the Cat.
Come gentle puss, thou wilt not tell;	15
If all do so thou shalt not tell.

Silly fool! why doubts thou telling
Where thou didst not doubt to trust?
If thy belly fall a swelling,
There’s no help, but out it must.	20
Alas the spite! alas the shame!
For then I quite loose my good name;
But yet the worst of Maids disgraced,
I am not first nor shall be last.

Once again to try your forces,	25
Thus I dare thee to the field;
Time is lost that time divorces
From the pleasures love doth yield.
Ah ha! fye, fye! it comes yet still!
It comes, I, I! do what you will!	30
My breath doth pass, my blood doth trickle?
Was ever lass in such a pickle?