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Telly addicts

Poem from BBC's AIBU?

3 replies

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 04/11/2022 22:45

In episode 5, Dan refers to a poem from GCSE English about a prostitute tying her baby onto the man's back and fucking off on his horse. This rings a vague bell, but I can't find it from my googling - does anyone know the name of this poem?
Loved that the episode ended with another one of my GCSE poems (Let me be your vacuum cleaner). I've never felt more cultured!
Love the series so much so far.

OP posts:
Sheri1982 · 17/12/2022 01:16

I searched for the poem after watching the episode too. I think it's called "The Beggar Woman" by William King, but I am not certain:

> The Beggar Woman
> by William King
> A gentleman in hunting rode astray,
> More out of choice than that he lost his way.
> He let his company the hare pursue,
> For he himself had other game in view:
> A beggar by her trade; yet not so mean
> But that her cheeks were fresh and linen clean.
> " Mistress," quoth he, " and what if we two should
> Retire a little way into the wood?"
> She needed not much courtship to be kind,
> He ambles on before, she trots behind;
> For little Bobby, to her shoulders bound,
> Hinders the gentle dame from ridding ground.
> He often asked her to expose, but she
> Still feared the coming of his company.
> Says she, " I know an unfrequented place,
> To the left hand, where we our time may pass,
> And the meanwhile your horse may find some grass."
> Thither they come, and both the horse secure;
> Then thinks the squire, I have the matter sure.
> She's asked to sit, but then excuse is made:
> " Sitting," says she, " 's not usual in my trade;
> Should you be rude, and then should throw me down,
> I might perhaps break more backs than my own."
> He smiling cries, " Come, I'll the knot untie,
> And, if you mean the child's, we'll lay it by."
> Says she, " That can't be done, for then 'twill cry.
> I'd not have us, but chiefly for your sake,
> Discovered by the hideous noise 'twould make.
> Use is another nature and 'twould lack,
> More than the breast, its custom to the back."
> " Then," says the gentleman, " I should be loth
> To come so far and disoblige you both:
> Were the child tied to me, d'ye think 'twould do?"
> " Mighty well, sir! Oh, Lord! if tied to you!"
> With speed incredible to work she goes,
> And from her shoulders soon the burthen throws;
> Then mounts the infant with a gentle toss
> Upon her generous friend, and, like a cross,
> The sheet she with a dextrous motion winds,
> Till a firm knot the wand'ring fabric binds.
> The gentleman had scarce got time to know
> What she was doing; she, about to go,
> Cries, " Sir, goodbye; ben't angry that we part,
> I trust the child to ye with all my heart:
> But, ere you get another, 'ti'n't amiss
> To try a year or two how you'll keep this."

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 22/12/2022 22:15

Yes, yes, that's the one from my GCSE anthology! Thank you so much, I couldn't find it despite my best googling.

OP posts:
VonneyW · 15/10/2023 06:22

Thank you 😊 No doubt many of us were desperately trying to recall this poem.

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