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

A Dialogue between a Town Spark and His Miss

Anonymous

(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719)

She.	Did you not promise me when you lay by me,
	That you would marry me; can you deny me?
He.	If I did promise thee, ’twas but to try thee,
	Call up your Witnesses, else I defie thee.

She.	Ah, who would trust you men that swear and vow so,	5
	Born only to deceive, how can you do so?
He.	If we can swear and lie, you can dissemble,
	And then to hear the Lie, would make one tremble.

She.	Had I not loved, you had found a Denial,
	My tender Heart, alas, was but too real;	10
He.	Real I know you were, I’ve often tried ye,
	Real to forty more Lovers beside me.

She.	If thousands lov’d me, where was my transgression,
	You were the only He, e’er got Possession?
He.	Thou could’st talk prettily, e’er thou could’st go, Child:	15
	But I’m too old and wise to be shamed so, Child.

She.	Tho’ y’are so cruel you’ll never believe me,
	You do but take the Child, all I forgive thee.
He.	Send your Kid home to me, I will take care on’t,
	If’t has the Mother’s Gifts, ’twill prove a rare one.	20