THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[?May] 1951

Lord Lechery’s Song

Words by

U. Vaughan Williams¹

Come and buy! Come and buy!
Will you try
all the wares that we cry?
You shall prove, you shall prove,
like Olympian Jove,
all the pleasures of love.
Come and buy!

Here are women for all
wenches small,
wenches tall,
and that which must never be spoken at all
by St. Paul.
Is your fancy for stout? Is your fancy for slim?
Have you amorous longing for bosom or limb?
Now, as to our price,
tis not over nice;
so put down your money, and here in a trice
are the maids of your choice,
fair of face, soft of voice,
all yielding and tender your heart to rejoice.
Come and buy!

O Madam, sweet Madam with your senses on fire
for an elegant page or a lusty young squire
look high, look low,
see, here’s a brave show
of gallants to waken for hire
your sleeping desire.
Come and buy! Come and buy!
Ere you smoulder and die.
Life is short, seize the day
and savour the pleasures of love while you may.
Come and buy!

1951

1. check reading – she was not UVW at this time. should it be R. not U? Pencil note in UW’s hand: ‘Ralph’s version of Lord Lechery’s song. Mine was chosen by Steuart [Wilson] when both were sent for his judgement – unsigned.’ Following the first production VW had decided to extend the Vanity Fair scene with the interpolation of a song for Lord Lechery.