The Fornicator

written in 1784

Ye jovial boys who love the joys. The blissful joys of Lovers; Yet dare avow with dauntless brow, When th' bony lass discovers; Pray draw near and lend an ear, And welcome in a Prater, For I've lately been on quarantine, A proven Fornicator. Before the Congregation wide I pass'd the muster fairly, My handsome Betsey by my side, We gat our ditty rarely; But my downcast eye by chance did spy What made my lips to water, Those limbs so clean where I, between, Commenc'd a Fornicator. With rueful face and signs of grace I pay'd the buttock-hire, The night was dark and thro' the park I could not but convoy her; A parting kiss, what could I less, My vows began to scatter, My Betsey fell-lal de dal lal lal, I am a Fornicator. But for her sake this vow I make, And solemnly I swear it, That while I own a single crown, She's welcome for to share it; And my roguish boy his Mother's joy, And the darling of his Pater, For him I boast my pains and cost, Although a Fornicator. Ye wenching blades whose hireling jades Have tipt you off blue-boram, I tell ye plain, I do disdain To rank you in the Quorum; But a bony lass upon the grass To teach her esse Mater, And no reward but for regard, O that's a Fornicator. Your warlike Kings and Heros bold, Great Captains and Commanders; Your mighty Cesars fam'd of old, And Conquering Alexanders; fields they fought and laurels bought And bulwarks strong did batter, But still they grac'd our noble list And ranked Fornicator!!!