Pocula Castalia :: :: University of Virginia Library

I tell thee Jack as I sought out
A stragling Lambe which straid about
The Hony-suckled Plaine,
Mine eyes met such brave things i'th'way,
As I ne'r saw before that day
Nor never shall againe.

2

From yon gay House there came a Band
Of simpring Courtiers hand in hand,
Drest wondrous brave and fine.
But O their Leader was a Lad
In such a gaudy habit clad,
As he did all out-shine.

3

Our Lord o'th'Town bears not such Port
When he fits talking Law i'th'Court,
With's Tenants round about.
Should he be on the green at Night,
(Jack) thee and I each Lasse would slight,
And crowd to take him out.

4

But wot you why he went so gay,
It seems it was his wedding Day,
And now to Church he go.
Me thought he lookt oft at the Sun,
As if he wisht his race were run,
So did the Bride also.

5

The Bride! the bravest in the row
Our Town and all our Hundred too
Can't shew the like I'l swear.
I ne'r saw Lady at a May
Or Shrovetide, or on Whit sonday
That with her might compare.

6

Of a pair of Indies I've been told,
Where men find precious stones and Gold,
I wot not where they are.
Nor doe I mind to go to see,
But doubtlesse if such things there be
I think they'r both in her.

7

The East, the tramells of her hair
Gilt by Phœbus beames appear
Like to a golden Fleece,
More rich and fair than that which
Was stollen by the Colchan Witch
And the bold Youth of Greece.

8

Her sparkling Eyes are Jems so fair,
Their lustre dims the twinckling Star
Which bids us Shepherds fold.
Her lips be Corrall of great price,
Her breath is Violet buds, and Spice
Whose worth cannot be told.

9

The other Indies men call West,
These she hath too, and he is blest
That sought their secret treasure;
But did he dig in those mines though,
So oft as some in thought did do,
He'd labour'd out of measure.

10

Her milkie skin and front did show
Like Meadowes clad in Winters Snow
Or Cotshall Wool new drest;
Or like the girdle of the Skie,
Or a smooth mount of Ivory,
Or like to curds new prest.

11

Her cheeks (wherein both Roses joyne)
Seem'd Milk commixt with Claret wine,
Such as we drank last May Day.
No Tulip e'r such colour wore,
They look'd like Strawberries sugar'd o'r.
Such as we eat last Play Day.

12

When to the new swept Church they came,
The lightning which this Princely Dame
Shot from her eyes so bright
Struck blind the Parson, so that he
Poor Beauty-blasted Man, could see
Scarcely to read aright.

13

For all his Coat or Gravity,
I think he wisht as ill as I
Or any that stood by her.
Though all did look as who should say
Their very soules did melt away,
And drop before the fire.

14

The rites done (which like long Grace do
But keep them off that would fall to)
The two, now one, went home,
And call'd the waiters (Sans delay)
To serve the dinner up, though they
Had their Feast yet to come.

15

The Cooks to give the Guests content
Had plundred evry Element,
And rifled Sea and shore.
Beshrew my Heart I ne'r did see
Boards deckt with such variety,
And laden with such store.

16

Now were our Heads with Rosebuds crown'd
And flowing cups ran swiftly round,
Wee all did drink like Fishes;
That joy and pleasure may betide
The Bridegroome, 'specially the Bride,
Each lusty Gallant wishes.

17

The Womens eyes dwelt on the Maid,
Some lik't this Lace, some that, and said
'Twas A la mode du France.
And drew the picture of the Peak:
But then the Youth did silence break,
And call'd them forth to dance.

18

No dapper Elves or light-heel'd Fawnes
Could nimblier Trip it o'r the Lawnes,
Or Faries o'r the green.
Though by the Bride all were as far
Outstript as frisking Faries are
By Mistris Mab the Queen.

19

No Jack a Lent danc'd such a way,
No Sun upon an Easter Day
Is such a bouny sight.
Yet in her eyes I read that she
Meant to outstip her selfe, and be
Much nimbler far at night.

20

Now Supper came and Healths went round,
In full fill'd crowned Bowles we drown'd
The slow and tedious Day.
In Singing, Kissing oft, and Dancing,
In sighing, wishing well, and glancing,
We drave the Time away.

21

Till th'Nightingale did chant her Vesper
And our curl'd Dogs were warn'd by Hesper
To Congregate our Sheep.
Till the gay Planet of the East
Took leave of Iris, and did hast
To's sea-green Couch to sleep.

22

Now (Jack) th'unwilling willing Bride,
With th'busie Virgin crew, aside
Was stoll'n to undresse.
The Youth whose active blood began
To strike up Loves Tantarra, cam
Within an hower and lesse.

23

In came he, where she blushing lay,
Like to a Musk-Rose into a
Lap full of Lillies cast.
What pitty tis we still should stay,
And make them riper Joyes delay,
Only a kisse to tast!

24

But still as 'twere to crosse their blisse,
The Bridemaids Banquet enter'd is,
The Youth devour'd it halfe,
To end it, not his tast to please.
For minding those sweats comming, these
Were dull, as Whey and Chaffe.

25

At last, the lights and wee, went out.
Now what remain'd to do, they do't.
Some say they danc'd a Jig.
If so (Jack) 'twas but such as that
That thou and I i'th' Bower had
With Betty and with Peg.