Page:Pocock's Everlasting Songster.djvu/83

 ( 53 ) THE VENUS OF TOTTERDOWN HILL.

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��T Totterdown Hill there Hv'd a old pair,

And 't may be they dwell there ftill, Much riches incieed didn't fall to their lot,

They kept a fmall farm and a mill ; But fully contented with what they did get,

They knew not of guile nor ot arts ; One daughter they had, and her name it was Bet, And (he was the pride of their hearts.

Nut brown were her locks, her fhape it was ftrait,

Her eyes were as black as a floe ; Her teeth were milk white, full fmart was her gait,

And lleek was her (kin -as a doe ; All thick were the clouds, and the rain it did pour

No bit of true blue could be fpy'd, A child, wet and cold, came ana knock'd at the door,

Its mam it had loft, and it cry'd.

Young Bet was as mild as the mornings of May,

The babe me hugg'd clofe to her bread ; She chaf 'd him all over, he fmil'd as he lay,

She kuT'd him and lull'd him to reft ; But who do you think (he had got for her prize,

Why love, the fly mafter of arts ; No fooner he wak'd, but he dropp'd his difguife,

And fhew'd her his wings and his darts.

Quoth he, I am love, but yet be not afraid,

Tho' all I make (hake at my will, * So good, and fo kind, have you been, my fair maid,

No harm (hall you feel from my ikill ; My mother ne'er dealt with fuch fondnefs by me,

A friend you (hall find in me ftill, Take my quiver and (hoot, be greater than (lie,

The Venus of Totterdown hill.

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