University of Virginia Library

Written on Miss Cocke's Wedding Day.

Of all the sprightly girls in town,
In sack, or negligee, or gown,
Or plain Virginia frock,
There's none that can a charm impart
To captivate a faithful heart
Like lovely Patsy Cocke.
So graceful is her mien and air,
And then her face is wondrous fair
The man must be a block,
Who's unsubdued by charms like these,
And makes it not his joy to please
The lovely Patsy Cocke.
But hark. She speaks: the youthful train
Attentive listening to the strain,
In crowds around her flock.
So very pungent is your wit
You knock down all you plan to hit
My charming Patsy Cocke.
Would fate to me this fair one grant,
(If I was out of reach of want)
I'd take her in her smock:
Content with what my fortune gave
No other riches would I crave
But thee, my Patsy Cocke.
The mariner, who, tempest tost,
Beholds his laboring vessel lost
And dashed against a rock,
Never felt such anguish and despair
As I in losing thee, my fair,
My charming Patsy Cocke.
Jan. 14, 1775