T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Queen of May
Anonymous(From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719) UPON a time I chanced to walk along a Green, | |
| Where pretty Lasses danced in strife to choose a Queen; | |
| Some homely dressed, some handsome, some pretty, and some gay, | |
| But who excelled in Dancing, must be the Queen of May. | |
| From Morning till the Evening, their Controversy held, | 5 |
| And I, as Judge, stood gazing on, to Crown her that excelled; | |
| At last when Phœbus Steeds had drawn their Wain away, | |
| We found and crowned a Damsel to be the Queen of May. | |
| Full well her Nature from her Face I did admire, | |
| Her Habit well become her, altho’ in poor Attire; | 10 |
| Her Carriage was so good, as did appear that Day, | |
| That she was justly chosen to be the Queen of May. | |
| Then all the rest in Sorrow, and she in sweet Content, | |
| Gave over till the Morrow, and homewards straight they went; | |
| But she of all the rest, was hindered by the way, | 15 |
| For ev’ry Youth that met her, must Kiss the Queen of May. | |
| At last I caught and stayed her a while with me alone, | |
| And on a Bank I laid her, when all the rest were gone; | |
| She fearing some Mischance, cried out, forbear I pray, | |
| Yet I could still do nothing but Kiss the Queen of May. | 20 |
| Thus we together tumbled at least an hour or more, | |
| And like a Fool, I fumbled, as I had done before: | |
| But when that Night was come, by chance I got the day, | |
| And yet alas, did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
| Her thoughts of coming thither, both Grief and Joy begot, | 25 |
| She smiled and wept together, yet knew not well for what, | |
| And still desired to go, but yet she seemed to stay, | |
| Yet I alas did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
| She sighed and prayed for pity that I would once give o’er, | |
| Yet were her Words so Witty, they showed she wished for more: | 30 |
| Then seeming to defend it, her Fort she did betray; | |
| Yet I alas did nothing else but Kiss the Queen of May. | |
| Thus shaking Hands at last we part, but she appeared | |
| Both heavy Eyed and Hearted, with that she felt and feared; | |
| Then turning round we parted, she speechless went her way, | 35 |
| Because I could do nothing but Kiss the Queen of May. | |