Page:National Ballad and Song (1897), vol. 5.djvu/27

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Merry Songs and Ballads


THE BRIDE’S FIRST NIGHT

[c. 1610–20]

[By “W. C.”; from Rawlinson MS., Poet. 214, leaf 71, back].

Being entered, and the bed with all thinges sett,Vpon the side thereof a while they sitt.when left alone, they talke and toy & smile,She, whilst she canne, the tyme seeks to beguile,till sudingly her cheekes are all bewept,to loose so soone what she so long hath kept;& oft she castes her eyes vpon the placewhere she is to wrastle; and she highdes her face.He with such gentle force compells the Lasse,as would not breake her, were she made of glasse,so loth he is to hurt her; yet he throwghsher softly downe, and to her side he growes.Venus begins to teach them a new trade,The marrage quene here playes the chamber-maide:Juno her-selfe, whose new affections growne,and there attends to teach them Marse vnknowne,
MERRY SONGS V.
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