Love

The Virgin's Choice

by Thomas Chatterton 1752–1770

From Poetical Works, ed. Skeat (1875)

Love

Young Strephon is as fair a swain
As e'er a shepherd of the plain
In all the hundred round;
But Ralph has tempting shoulders too,
And will as quickly buckle to
As any to be found.

Young Colin has a comely face,
And cudgels with an active grace,
In everything complete;
But Hobbinol can dance divine,
Gods! how his manly beauties shine,
When jigging with his feet!

Roger is very stout and strong,
And Thyrsis sings a heavenly song,
Soft Giles is brisk and small.
Who shall I choose? who shall I shun?
Why must I be confined to one?
Why can't I have them all?

MLA

Chatterton, Thomas. “The Virgin's Choice.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/chatterton/90/.

Chicago

Chatterton, Thomas. “The Virgin's Choice.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/chatterton/90/.

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