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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SCOTCH SONG by THOMAS D'URFEY

First Line: TWAS WITHIN A FURLONG OF EDINBOROUGH TOWN
Last Line: OR I CANNOT, CANNOT, &C.
Subject(s): SCOTLAND;

'Twas within a Furlong of @3Edinborough@1 Town,
In the Rosie time of year when the Grass was down;
Bonny @3Jockey@1 Blith and Gay,
Said to @3Jenny@1 making Hay,
Let's sit a little (Dear) and prattle,
'Tis a sultry Day:
He long had Courted the Black-Brow'd Maid,
But @3Jockey@1 was a Wag and would ne'er consent to Wed;
Which made her pish and phoo, and cry out it will not do,
I cannot, cannot, cannot, wonnot, monnot Buckle too.

He told her Marriage was grown a meer Joke,
And that no one Wedded now, but the Scoundrel Folk;
Yet my dear, thou shouldest prevail,
But I know not what I ail,
I shall dream of Clogs, and silly Dogs,
With Bottles at their Tail;
But I'll give thee Gloves, and a Bongrace to wear,
And a pretty Filly-Foal, to ride out and take the Air;
If thou ne'er will pish nor phoo, and cry it ne'er shall do,
I cannot, cannot, @3&c.@1

That you'll give me Trinkets, cry'd she, I believe,
But ah! What in return must your poor @3Jenny@1 give;
When my Maiden Treasure's gone,
I must gang to @3London@1 Town,
And Roar, and Rant, and Patch and Paint,
And Kiss for half a Crown:
Each Drunken Bully oblige for Pay,
And earn and hated Living in an odious Fulsom way;
No, no, it ne'er shall do, for a Wife I'll be to you,
Or I cannot, cannot, @3&c.@1



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