Part II., 100, Appendix, p. lxviii.

Here is the old ballad mentioned, from our own black-letter copy. Compare it with _W. D._:—

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 several Young Men being their familiar Acquaintances, who took away their Gowns and Petticoats, with their Smocks and Wine and good Chear; leaving them a while in a most melancholly condition.

To a pleasant New Play-house Tune [music is given]: Or, Where’s my Shepherd?

This may be Printed. R[obt]. P[ocock, 1685-8].

_~Tom~ and ~William~ with ~Ned~ and ~Ben~,_ _In all they were about nine or ten;_ _Near a trickling 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._

_~Simon~ gave out the report_ _the rest resolving to see the sport[,]_ _The Young freely repairing declaring_ _that this is the humours of ~Venus~ Court[,]_ _In a Bower those Gallants remaine_ _seeing the Maidens trip o’re the plain[:]_ _They thought no Body did know their intent_ _as merrily over the Fields they went._

_~Nell~ a Bottle of Wine did bring_ _with many a delicate dainty thing[,]_ _Their Fainting Spirits to nourish and cherish_ _when they had been dabbling in the Spring[:]_ _They supposing no Creature did know_ _to the River they merrily goe,_ _When they came thither and seeing none near[,]_ _Then under the bushes they hid their chear._

_Then they stripping of all their Cloaths_ _their Gowns their Petticoats Shooes & Hose[,]_ _Their fine white smickits then stripping & skipping[,]_ _no Body seeing them they suppose[,]_ _~Sarah~ enter’d the River so clear_ _and bid them follow they need not fear[,]_ _For why the Water is warm they replyed[,]_ _then into the River they sweetly glide._

_Finely bathing themselves they lay_ _like pretty Fishes they sport and play[,]_ _Then let’s be merry[,] said ~Nancy~, I fancy,_ _it’s seldom that any one walks this way[.]_ _Thus those Females were all in a Quill_ _and following on their Pastime still[,]_ _All naked in a most dainty trim_ _those Maidens like beautifull Swans did swim._

_Whilst they followed on their Game[,]_ _out came sweet ~William~ and ~Tom~ by name._ _They took all their Clothing and left nothing [t’ ’em:]_ _Maids was they not Villains and much to blame[?]_ _Likewise taking their Bottle of Wine[,]_ _with all their delicate Dainties fine[:]_ _Thus they were rifled of all their store,_ _was ever poor Maidens so serv’d before._

_From the River those Maidens fair_ _Return’d with sorrow and deep despair[;]_ _When they seeing, brooding[,] concluding_ _that somebody certainly had been there[,]_ _With all their Treasure away they run[,]_ _Alas[!] said ~Nelle~[,] we are undone,_ _Those Villains I wish they were in the Stocks,_ _that took our Petticoats Gowns and Smocks._

_Then Sweet ~Sarah~ with modest ~Prue~_ _they all was in a most fearful Hue[,]_ _Every Maiden replying and crying_ _they did not know what in the world to do[.]_ _But what laughing was there with the men_ _in bringing their Gowns and Smocks again[,]_ _The Maidens were modest & mighty mute[,]_ _and gave them fine curtsies and thanks to boot._

Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye Corner [1672-95.]