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Pastorals

Viz. The Bashful Swain: And Beauty and Simplicity. By Mr. Purney

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 I. 
[SCENE I.]
 II. 
 III. 
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[SCENE I.]

Paplet lov'd (ah lov'd too well!)
A gentle boy, his Name was Coll;
Colly the Darling of the Plains,
And softest he of all the Swains.
As she for Colley, Cuddleit sigh'd for her;
The little Lad that has white ringlet Hair.

2

He'd throw him down, and cry, as hurt,
Oh, what's the matter with my Heart!
Long set, and muse on Paplet's face;
Then clasp his Arms in eagerness.
Ah Paplet! Thou small weenest how thou art,
Cause of such pain to such a gentle Heart!
Acquaint he was with Floreynet,
Who liv'd as Brother with Paplet.
Oft Florey did he go to see;
Oft staid the Eve; oft with him lay.
Yet none, not Paplet, dare he tell his Smart;
But stand close by, and soft say, O my Heart!
'Tween Florey's bed and that of th' Lass
Only a little Wall there was.
Cuddleit oft wak'd; his Cheek he'd clap
Close to the Wall; and wish mayhap.
And oft as stir'd the gentle-breathing Lass,
So oft he'd cling to th' Wall, so often kiss't.

3

One Night (a frosty Night it was)
Soft-musing lay he on the Lass;
Whenas he heard her get out bed;
Sure I shall find the Heath ! She said.
Chary from out the warm Cloaths too crep he;
Dress'd him; and got a-field before the Mey.
She lay with, like a Rosie sweet,
Her little Brother Dillinet.
Him took she with her to the Heath;
O Pap, quoth he, 'Tis cold as Death!
But Colly there that Morn his Heifers drove;
And Paplet ne're had seen the Lad her Love.
To dress her quick the lilly Mey,
Flirted as busy as a Bee.
Sweetly her Hair was braided, she
Clad in the softness of a Say.
Fair was her face, her Vest white—sooth she show'd
The Lilly on a Heap of Roses strow'd!

4

All time of Colly chat's the Mey,
All time had thought for many a day.
Yet oft the head she hung; may seem
Ashamed still to talk of him.
Some Ringlet-Locks atween her breasts were flung
Mayhap he'll like it! said the tender Tongue.
Soft were those breasts, as soft and sweet,
As is at Eve the Floret's Wet.
And all her care was how to get
Out, Ne be heard, with Dillinet.
He merry little Wag, would hop and play;
All-sweet as Lamkin on the flowerie Lea.
And when she snib'd (she could not hit)
'Twould smile so pretty! Smile so sweet!
Then take her hand and promise oft
(Looking at Lip) he'd kiss it soft:
Then make his tender Mouth her fair Hand hit,
I-faith I can but smile to think how sweet!

5

Her beauty fresh 'gan bloom, and ope
It's bashful bosom to th' dew-drop;
But sure, had you her Shape but seen!
Yfay 'twas fair as flowerie-Green!
Simp'ring she smil'd; 'lack! all unlike the Meny;
Sweet were her lips, and Oh her tongue dropt Honey!
Say me, ye gentle Striplings say!
If e're ye saw so soft a Mey:
Ye gentle Striplings, by my Fay!
As soft she was as Summer-Day.
Yet oft she'd muse, as head on hand did lay,
And inly sigh full sore; sweet hapless Mey!
Now twice to pass unheard she try's;
Twice Dilly makes a lumbring Noise;
So that the boy she took up quick,
And bad him hang about her Neck.
The lilly-finger'd Lass fair hold's her Vest
With one hand, t'other feel's the Way she pas't.

6

Kist her all Way the little Ele;
(Why sooth she could'nt help her self!)
Her snowie Neck and dainty Paps;
Then to her Cheek his Cheek he clap's.
Fligg'ring and laughing that he had her now.
Shrewd Heart; how well he found the Way out tho'!
The Path a-to Lynheath, where fed
Colly ran thro' a gloomy Wood.
At Edge hereof poor Cuddleit stand's,
To meet his Paplet, as by Chance.
His Heart went pit-a-pat when spy'd the Lass,
For 'sham'd to love the little Shepherd was.