Part 2 — Part II., 100, Appendix, p. lxviii.

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.