English poem
EDWIN'S PILLS, &c, SONG
by John O'Keeffe (1747–1833)
Gad-a-mercy! devil's in me, All the damsels wish to win me; Like a may-pole round me clutter, Hanging garlands—fuss and flutter! Lilting, cap'ring, grinning, smirking, Pouting, bobbing, winking, jerking; Kates and Bettys, Polls and Letties, All were doating, gentle creatures, On these features.— To their aprons all would pin me, Gad-a-mercy! Devil's in me, All the damsels wish to win me: Pretty damsels, ugly damsels; Black-hair'd damsels, red-hair'd damsels; Six feet damsels, three feet damsels; Pale-fac'd damsels, plump-fac'd damsels; Small-leg'd damsels, thick-leg'd damsels: Pretty, ugly, black-hair'd, red-hair'd, six feet, three feet, Pale-fac'd, plump-fac'd, small-leg'd, thick-leg'd, dainty dowdy: All run after me, Sir, me; For when pretty fellows, we, Pretty maids are frank and free. For their stays taking measure Of the ladies, Oh the pleasure! Oh, such tempting looks they gi'me! Wishing of my heart to nim me; Pat and cry, you devil, Jemmy. Pretty ladies, ugly ladies, &c.