ON SIX MAIDS BATHING THEMSELVES IN A RIVER by THOMAS RANDOLPH

WHEN bashful daylight once was gone,
And night, that hides a blush, came on,
Six pretty nymphs, to wash away
The sweating of a summer's day,
In Cham's fair streams did gently swim,
And naked bathe each curious limb.
O, who had this blest sight but seen,
Would think that they had Cloelias been.
A scholar that a walk did take
(Perchance for meditation's sake)
This better object chanc'd to find:
Straight all things else were out of mind;
What fitter study in this life
For practice or contemplative?
He thought (poor soul) what he had seen
Fair Dian and her nymphs had been,
And therefore thought in piteous fear
Actaeon's fortune had been near.
Or that the water-nymphs they were
Together met to sport them there.
And that to him such love they bore,
As unto Hylas once before.
What could he think but that his eye
Six nymphs at once did there espy
Rise from the waves? Or that, perchance,
Fresh-water Syrens came to dance
Upon the stream with songs and looks
To tempt poor scholars from their books?
He could not think they Graces were,
Because their numbers doubled are,
Nor can he think they Muses be,
Because (alas!) they wanted three.
I should have rather guess'd that there
Another brood of Helens were,
Begot by Jove upon the plains,
Hatch'd by some Leda of the swans.
The maids betray'd were in a fright,
And blush'd, but 'twas not seen by night.
At last all by the bank did stand,
And he (kind heart) lent them his hand.
Where 'twas his bliss to feel all o'er
Soft paps, smooth thighs, and something more.
But envious night hid from his eyes
The place where love and pleasure lies.
Guess, lovers, guess, whate'er you are,
What then might be this scholar's prayer.
That he had been a cat to spy,
Or had but now Tiberius' eye.
Yet since his wishes were in vain,
He help'd them don their clothes again,
Makes promise there should none be shent;
So with them to the tavern went.
How they all night did sport and play,
Pardon my muse, I dare not say.
Guess you that have a mind to know,
Whether he were a fool or no.

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