Volume Ii Part 33 (2/2)

George Crabbe [1754-1832]

”O WERE MY LOVE YON LILAC FAIR”

O were my Love yon lilac fair, Wi' purple blossoms to the spring, And I a bird to shelter there, When wearied on my little wing; How I wad mourn when it was torn By autumn wild and winter rude!

But I wad sing on wanton wing When youthfu' May its bloom renewed.

O gin my Love were yon red rose That grows upon the castle wa', And I mysel a drap o' dew, Into her bonnie breast to fa'; O there, beyond expression blest, I'd feast on beauty a' the night; Sealed on her silk-saft faulds to rest, Till fleyed awa' by Phoebus' light.

Robert Burns [1759-1796]

”BONNIE WEE THING”

Bonnie wee thing! cannie wee thing!

Lovely wee thing! wert thou mine, I wad wear thee in my bosom, Lest my jewel I should tine.

Wishfully I look, and languish In that bonnie face o' thine; And my heart it stounds wi' anguish, Lest my wee thing be na mine.

Wit and grace, and love and beauty, In ae constellation s.h.i.+ne; To adore thee is my duty, G.o.ddess o' this soul o' mine!

Bonnie wee thing, cannie wee thing, Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine, I wad wear thee in my bosom, Lest my jewel I should tine.

Robert Burns [1759-1796]

ROSE AYLMER

Ah, what avails the sceptered race!

Ah, what the form divine!

What every virtue, every grace!

Rose Aylmer, all were thine.

Rose Aylmer, whom these wakeful eyes May weep, but never see, A night of memories and sighs I consecrate to thee.

Walter Savage Landor [1775-1864]

”TAKE BACK THE VIRGIN PAGE”

Written On Returning A Blank Book

Take back the Virgin Page White and unwritten still; Some hand more calm and sage The leaf must fill.

Thoughts came as pure as light-- Pure as even you require: But oh! each word I write Love turns to fire.

<script>