Volume Ii Part 108 (1/2)
Allan Ramsay [1686-1758]
WILLIE AND HELEN
”Wharefore sou'd ye talk o' love, Unless it be to pain us?
Wharefore sou'd ye talk o' love Whan ye say the sea maun twain us?”
”It's no because my love is light, Nor for your angry deddy; It's a' to buy ye pearlins bright, An' to busk ye like a leddy.”
”O w.i.l.l.y, I can caird an' spin, Sae ne'er can want for cleedin'; An' gin I hae my w.i.l.l.y's heart, I hae a' the pearls I'm heedin'.
”Will it be time to praise this cheek Whan years an' tears hae blenched it?
Will it be time to talk o' love Whan cauld an' care hae quenched it?”
He's laid ae han' about her waist-- The ither's held to heaven; An' his luik was like the luik o' man Wha's heart in twa is riven.
Hew Ainslie [1792-1878]
ABSENCE
With leaden foot Time creeps along While Delia is away: With her, nor plaintive was the song, Nor tedious was the day.
Ah, envious Power! reverse my doom; Now double thy career, Strain every nerve, stretch every plume, And rest them when she's here!
Richard Jago [1715-1781]
”MY MOTHER BIDS ME BIND MY HAIR”
My mother bids me bind my hair With bands of rosy hue; Tie up my sleeves with ribbons rare, And lace my bodice blue!
”For why,” she cries, ”sit still and weep, While others dance and play?”
Alas! I scarce can go, or creep, While Lubin is away!
'Tis sad to think the days are gone When those we love were near!
I sit upon this mossy stone, And sigh when none can hear:
And while I spin my flaxen thread, And sing my simple lay, The village seems asleep, or dead, Now Lubin is away!
Anne Hunter [1742-1821]
”BLOW HIGH! BLOW LOW!”
Blow high, blow low! let tempest tear The mainmast by the board!