Bold Sir John

Now bold Sir John was young and fair and bold Sir John was gay,
He said, "I'll tread the morning dew to take the air and listen to
The twittering of the birds all day, the bumblebees at play."

Now bold Sir John went on his way, observing nature's farce,
"O Mother Earth, please tell me, pray, why elephants live so long, they say,
Your flies live but a day, then they drop dead upon the grass."

Now bold Sir John, he met a maid as on her back she lay,
"Please show respect and come not near, for I've seen many a maiden here,
Get lost among the new-mown hay, so doff your hat, I pray."

Then bold Sir John assured the maid He was just passing by.
He said, "Fair maid, now fear me not for, though me blood be wild and hot,
Addicted to love's ways I'm not no cocksure rake am I.

When bold Sir John returned home, they gave him gin to try,
"Pray fill me not with liquor up, nor give me grape nor grain to sup,
Pour cowslip's dew into my cup, a puritan am I!"