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The 17th Century English poem reproduced below appears to call sport what some today might or might not call sport. (See the 4th stanza.)
Chances are that sport in the 17th Century meant other than sport as games of throwing kicking objects- but whatever that was, was not necessarily that which today might or might not be called sport.
But I wonder if the poet (ANON) possibly, as even reflecting certain fun loving attitudes of his milieu, actually had in mind to refer to exactly that which today might or might not be called sport, as a sport !
Do you know for certain what he was doing with the word sport? Anyway, here's a piece about 17th Century English longings for sport, whatever it was:
Passing By
words ANON, 17th Century
There is a lady sweet and kind,
Was never face so pleased my mind;
I did but see her passing by,
And yet I love her till I die.
Her gesture, motion and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice, my heart beguiles,
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet I love her till I die.
Her free behaviour, winning looks,
Will make a lawyer burn his books;
I touched her not, alas! not I,
And yet I love her till I die.
Had I her fast betwixt my arms,
Judge you that think such sports were harms,
Were't any harm? No, no, fie, fie !
For I will love her till I die.
Should I remain confined there
So long as Phoebus in his sphere,
I to request, she to deny,
Yet I would love her till I die.
Cupid is winged and doth range:
Her country so my love doth change:
But change she earth or change she sky,
Yet will I love her till I die.
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The OxED has the following for 1.c (obsolete) of the first sport entry:
†c. Lovemaking, amorous play; (also) sexual intercourse; an instance of this, an amorous exploit. Obs.
In later use freq. punning on sense 1b.
c1450 (?c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 2087 (MED), xxxti maydens, lo..The fayrest of hem ye chese; Take your sporte.
c1475 (??c1300) Guy of Warwick (Caius) l. 3176 (MED), In-to the Chambre lete vs goo, Amonges the maydens some sportes to doo.
?c1500 Mary Magdalene (Digby) l. 459 Prynt yow in sportes whych best doth yow plese.
1568 (?a1500) Freiris Berwik 170 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 266 Than in hett luve thay talkit vderis till Thus at þair sport now will I leif þame still.
a1616 Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. i. 227 When the blood is made dull with the act of sport.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 48 Italians love a fearefull wench, that often flies from Venus sport.
1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 102 When now the Nuptial time Approaches for the stately Steed to climb;..Distend his Chine, and pamper him for sport.
1772 T. Bridges Burlesque Transl. Homer (rev. ed.) i. 4 In England, if you trust report, Whether in country, town, or court, The parsons daughters make best sport.
1787 C. Morris Compl. Coll. Songs (ed. 5) ii. sig. *B, As he knew in our state that the women had weight, He chose one well hung for good sport, Sir.
Sportingf clubs offer fine dining, exceptional wines and spirits for well-mannered gentlemen in rich attire, accompanied by comely females whose relationship with the gentleman may be social or financial. Often such clubs have dancers wearing little.
At least, in books. I've had insufficient experience in the matter. I think I ned to write a grant to research this fully. I'll have to pay attention to the foundations sponsoring PBS shows to know where to submit my proposal.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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