National Ballad and Song/Volume 5/The Old Woman's Wish

by unknown author

Layout 2

THE OLD WOMAN’S WISH

[c. 1684]

[A Broadside Song; music in Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 101].

As I went by an Hospital, I heard an Old Woman cry,Kind Sir, quoth she, be kind to me, once more before I Die,And grant to me those Joys, that belong to Woman-kind,And the Fates above reward your Love, To an old Woman Poor and Blind.

I find an itching in my Blood, altho’ it be something Cold,Therefore Good Man do what you can, to comfort me now I’m Old.  And Grant to me those Joys, &c.

Altho’ I cannot see the Day, nor never a glance of light;Kind Sir, I swear and do declare, I honour the Joys of Night:  Then grant to me those Joys, &c.

When I was in my Blooming Youth, My vigorous Love was Hot;Now in my Age I dare Engage, A fancy I still have got:  Then give to me those Joys, &c.

You shall miss of a Reward, If Readily you comply;Then do not Blush but touch my flesh, This minute before I die:  O let me tast those Joys, &c.

I Forty Shillings would freely give, ’Tis all the Mony I have;Which I full long have begged for, To carry me to my Grave:  This I would give to have the Bliss, &c.

I had a Husband in my Youth, As very well ’tis known,The truth to tell he pleased me well, But now I am left alone;  And long to tast the good Old Game, &c.

If Forty Shillings will not do, My Petticoat and my Gown;Nay Smock also shall freely go, To make up the other Crown;  Then Sir, pray Grant that kind Request, &c.

Tho’ I am Fourscore Years of Age, I love with a Right good Will;And what in truth I want in Youth, I have it in perfect Skill:  Then grant to me that Charming Bliss, &c.

Now if you do not pleasure me, And give me the thing I crave;I do protest I shall not rest, When I am laid in my Grave:  Therefore kind Sir, grant me the Joys, &c.