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.]