An Immoral Anthology

A MAIDENHEAD OM E, sit thee down by these cool streams, Never yet warmed by Titan's beams! My tender youth thy waist shall clip, And fix upon thy cherry lip; And lay thee down on this green bed, Where thou shalt lose thy maidenhead. See how the little Philip Sparrow, Whose joints do overflow with marrow, On yonder bough how he doth prove With his mate the joys of love, And doth instruct thee, as he doth tread, How thou shalt lose thy maidenhead. 7 ^_ WHILE SWEET BESSY COfij SLEEPING LAY V.3&T FELL on a summer's day, While sweet Bessy sleeping lay, In her bower, on her bed, Light with curtains shadowed, jamy came: she him espies, Opening half her heavy eyes.8 Jamy stole in through the door, She lay slumb'ring as before; Softly to her he drew near, She heard him, yet would not hear: Bessy vowed not to speak, He resolved that dump to break. First a soft kiss he doth take, She lay still and would not wake; Then his hands learned to woo, She dreamt not what he would do, But still slept, while he smiled To see love by sleep beguiled. Jamy then began to play, Bessy as one buried lay, Gladly still through this sleight Deceived in her own deceit; And since this trance begoon, She sleeps every afternoon. [Thomas Campion] 9 C/ SONG UcWEET, exclude me not, nor be divided From him that ere long must bed thee: All thy maiden doubts law hath decided; Sure we are, and I must wed thee. Presume then yet a little more: Here's the way, bar not the door. Tenants, to fulfill their landlord's pleasure, Pay their rent before the quarter: Tis my case if you it rightly measure; Put me not then off with laughter. Consider then a little more: Here's the way to all my store. Why were doors in love's despite devised? Are not laws enough restraining? Women are most apt to be surprised Sleeping, or sleep wisely feigning. Then grace me yet a little more: Here's the way, bar not the door. [Thomas Campion] 10