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The Swimming Lady
The four and twentieth day of May, of all days of the year, sir,
A virgin lady, fresh and gay, did privately appear, sir.
Down by a riverside walked she, and spied back down the path, sir,
And feeling sure she was secure, she got ready for her bath sir. .
With glittering glancing jealous eyes, she shyly looked about, her,
To see if any lurking spies were hidden to find her out, sir.
And feeling well resolved that none could see her nakedness, sir,
She pulled her robes off, one by one, and did herself undress, sir.
Full nude into the stream she slipped, she looked like Venus' glass, sir.
The fishes from all quarters slipt to see so fair a lass, sir.
Each fish did wish himself a man, about her all were drawn, sir.
And at the sight of her began to spread about their spawn, sir.
A lad who long her love had been and could obtain no grace, sir,
Through all her prying lay unseen, within a secret place, sir.
Who had often been too shy when he had come to woo her,
Pulled off his clothes and fearlessly did run and leap into her.
The lass, she cried, and down she dived, but she soon came up again, sir.
They made it all up upon the shore, and then, and then, and then, sir.
As Adam did old Eve enjoy, you may guess what I mean, sir;
Because she all uncovered lay, he covered her again, sir.
With watering eyes, he weeps he cries, "I'm utterly undone, dear
If you will not be wed to me by the dawn of morning sun, dear."
She answered him, she would not stir out of his sight till then, sir.
"They both joined hands in wedlock bands, got married, and went to it again, sir."
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