| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | A Maiden’s Denial | | Anonymous |
| | (From Sportive Wit; the Muses’ Merriment, 1656) |
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NAY, pish! nay, phew! nay, faith and will you? fie! | |
| A gentleman and use me thus! I’ll cry. | |
| Nay, God’s body, what means this? Nay, fie for shame, | |
| Nay, faith, away! Nay, fie, you are to blame. | |
| Hark! somebody comes! hands off, I pray! | 5 |
| I’ll pinch, I’ll scratch, I’ll spurn, I’ll run away. | |
| Nay, faith, you strive in vain, you shall not speed. | |
| You mar my ruff, you hurt my back, I bleed. | |
| Look how the door stands ope, somebody sees! | |
| Your buttons scratch, in faith you hurt my knees. | 10 |
| What will men say? Lord, what a coil is here! | |
| You make me sweat; i’ faith, here’s goodly gear. | |
| Nay, faith, let me entreat you, if you list; | |
| You mar my clothes, you tear my smock, but, had I wist | |
| So much before, I would have shut you out. | 15 |
| Is it a proper thing you go about? | |
| I did not think you would have used me this, | |
| But now I see I took my aim amiss. | |
| A little thing would make me not be friends: | |
| You’ve used me well! I hope you’ll make amends. | 20 |
| Hold still, I’ll wipe your face, you sweat amain: | |
| You have got a goodly thing with all your pain. | |
| Alas! how hot am I! what will you drink? | |
| If you go sweating down what will men think? | |
| Remember, sir, how you have used me now; | 25 |
| Doubtless ere long I will be meet with you. | |
| If any man but you had used me so, | |
| Would I have put it up? in faith, sir, no. | |
| Nay, go not yet; stay here and sup with me, | |
| And then at cards we better shall agree. | 30 | | |
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