EBBA 21686
Magdalene College - Pepys
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The Devonshire Damsels
FROLLICK.
BEING
An Account of nine or ten fair Maidens; who went one Evening lately, to
wash themselves in a pleasant River, where they were discovered by seve-
ral Young men being their familliar acquaintances who took a way their
Gowns and Petticoats, with their Smocks and Wine with good Chear; lea-
ving them a while in a most melancholly condition.
To a Pleasant new Play-House Tune; or, wher's my Shepherd?
This may be Printed R. P.
TOm & William with Ned and Ben , in all they were about nine or ten; near a tickling
River endeavour To see a most delicate sight for Men, nine young Maidens they knew it
full well; Sarah, Susan with bonny Nell, and all those others whose names are not here
intended to wash in a River clear.
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SImon gave out the first report
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the rest resolving to see the sport
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The Youngmen freely repairing declaring
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that this is the Humours of Venus Court
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In a Bower those Gallants remain
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seeing the Maidens trip o're the plain
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They thought no Body did know their intent
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as merrily over the Fields they went.
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Nell a Bottle of Wine did bring
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with many a delicate dainty thing
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Their Fainting Spirits to nourish and cherish
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when they had been dabling in the Spring
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They supposing no Creature did know
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to the River they merrily goe,
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When they came thither and seeing none near
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then under the bushes they hid their chear.
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Then they stripping of all their Cloaths
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their Gowns their Petticoats Shoes & Hose.
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Their fine white smickits then stripping & skipping
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no Body seeing them they suppose
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Sarah enter'd the River so clear
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and bid them follow they need not fear
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For why the Water is warm they replyed
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then into the River they sweetly glide
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Finely bathing themselves they lay
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Like pretty Fishes they sport and play
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Then lets be merry said Nancy , I fancy,
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it's seldom that any one walks this way
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Thus those Females were all in a Quil
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and following on their Pastime still
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All naked and in a most dainty trim
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those Maidens like beautiful Swans did swim.
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Whilst they followed on their Game
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out came sweet William & Tom by name.
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They took all their Clothing and left nothing
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Maids was they not Villains and much to blame
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Likewise taking their Bottle of Wine
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with all their delicate dainties fine
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Thus they were rifled of their store,
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was ever poor Maidens so serv'd before.
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From the River those Maidens fair
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return'd with sorrow and deep despair
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When they seeing, brooding concluding
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that somebody certainly had been there
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With all their Treasure away they run
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Alass said Nelle we are undone,
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Those Villains I wish were in the Stocks
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that took our Petticoats Gowns & Smocks.
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Then Sweet Sarah with modest Prue
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they all was in a most fearful Hue
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Every Maiden replying and crying
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they did not know what in the World to do
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But what laughing was there with the Men
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in bringing their Gowns and Smocks again
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The Maidens were modest & mighty mute
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and gave them fine curtsies & thanks to boot.
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Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye-corner.
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