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(From Poetical Works, 1728)
AS Dolly and her favourite Swain | |
| Were interrupted by the rain, | |
| From tedding out the fragrant hay; | |
| Beneath a sheltering cock they lay: | |
| When thus the lovely, longing jade, | 5 |
| Unto the drowsy shepherd said, | |
| Nay, prithee Lobby, why so sleepy? | |
| Indeed, upon my word I’ll nip ye.— | |
| How pretty might we sit and chat, | |
| Tell o’er old stories, and all that.— | 10 |
| But you—O Lord, the careless beast! | |
| As if folks lie down to take rest. | |
| Lab, half asleep, made no replies, | |
| Or answered with a grunt her sighs. | |
| While she to be revenged, arose, | 15 |
| And played a tickler on his nose. | |
| (But come, the virgin to disgrace, | |
| Will say, ’twas in another place.) | |
| Be that—as ’twill, she waked the swain, | |
| And tickled him with words again. | 20 |
| Come sweeting, Lobby, come, my dear, | |
| I’m sure that nobody is near; | |
| Indeed we may, pray be’n’t afraid, | |
| Poor I am, but an harmless maid. | |
| For since you’re so disposed to rest, | 25 |
| Pray take a nap upon my breast. | |
| You see time, leisure, place, and all, | |
| For such enjoyment seem to call. | |
| And you remember people say, | |
| When the sun shines, then make your hay. | 30 |
| Augh! aught! quoth Lob, waked with surprise, | |
| To see the sun flame in his eyes. | |
| Heigh Hoa! come Doll, for as you say, | |
| The sun shines, we must make our hay: | |
| So reach me there my rake and prong, | 35 |
| ’Twas well you waked—we’ve slept too long. | |
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