EBBA 30616
British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
The Devonshire Damsels
FROLLICK:
BEING
An Account of nine or ten fair Maidens, who went one Evening lately, to wash them-
selves in a pleasant River, where they were discovered by several Young Men being
their familiar Acquaintances who took away their Gowns and Petticoats, with their
Smocks and Wine with good Chear; leaving them a while in a most melancholly con-
dition.
To a pleasant New Play-house Tune: Or, Where's my Shepherd?
This may be Printed. R. P.
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TOm and William with Ned and Ben,
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in all they were about nine or ten;
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near a trick-ling River endeavour
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to see a most delicate sight for men;
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nine young maidens they knew it full well,
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Sarah, Susan with bonny Nell,
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and all those others whose names [are] not here,
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intended to wash in a River cl[ear].
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SImon gave out the report
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the rest resolving to see the sport
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The Young 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 & skip-ping
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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 Quill
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and following on their Pastime still
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All naked in a most dainty trim
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those Maidens like beautifull Swans did swim.
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Whilst they followed on their Game
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out came sweet William and 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 all 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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Alas said Nelle we are undone,
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Those Villains I wish they were in the Stocks
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that took our Petticoats Gowns and 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 f[i]ne curtsies & thanks to boot.
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Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye-corner.
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