Volume V Part 4 (1/2)
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Composed on board the steams.h.i.+p Niagara, on her voyage to New York, in August 1849.
AULD PETER MACGOWAN.
AIR--_'The Brisk Young Lad.'_
Auld Peter MacGowan cam down the craft, An' rubbit his han's an' fidged an' laugh't; O little thought he o' his wrinkled chaft, When he wanted me to lo'e; He patted my brow an' smooth'd my chin, He praised my e'en an' sleek white skin, Syne fain wad kiss; but the laugh within Came rattlin' out, I trew.
O sirs, but he was a canty carle, Wi' rings o' gowd, an' a brooch o' pearl, An' aye he spoke o' his frien' the Earl, And thought he would conquer lo'e.
He boasted o' gear an' acres wide, O' his bawsand youd that I should ride When I was made his bonny wee bride, Returning lo'e for lo'e; That I a lady to kirk should gang, Ha'e writ my virtues in a sang; But I snapp'd my thumb, and said, ”gae hang, Gin that's the best ye can do.”
O sirs, but he was a silly auld man, Nae mair he spak' o' his gear an' lan'; An' through the town like lightning ran, The tale o' auld Peter's lo'e.
An' sae the auld carle spiel'd up the craft, And raved and stamp'd like ane gane daft, Till tears trickled owre his burning chaft, Sin' he couldna win my lo'e.
”Far better be single,” the folk a' said, ”Than a warming pan in an auld man's bed;”
He will be cunning wha gars me wed, Wi' ane that I never can lo'e; Na, na! he maun be a fine young lad, A canty lad, an' a dainty lad; Oh, he maun be a spirited lad, Wha thinks to win my lo'e.
THE FLOWER OF KEIR.
O what care I where love was born; I know where oft he lingers, Till night's black curtain 's drawn aside, By morning's rosy fingers.
If you would know, come, follow me, O'er mountain, moss, and river, To where the Nith and Scar agree To flow as one for ever.
Pa.s.s Kirk-o'-Keir and Clover lea, Through loanings red with roses; But pause beside the spreading tree, That f.a.n.n.y's bower encloses.
There, knitting in her shady grove, Sits f.a.n.n.y singing gaily; Unwitting of the chains of love, She 's forging for us daily.
Like light that brings the blossom forth, And sets the corn a-growing, Melts icy mountains in the north, And sets the streams a-flowing; So f.a.n.n.y's eyes, so bright and wise, Shed loving rays to cheer us, Her absence gives us wintry skies, 'Tis summer when she 's near us!
O, saw ye ever such a face, To waken love and wonder; A brow with such an arch of grace, And blue eyes s.h.i.+ning under!
Her snaring smiles, sweet nature's wiles, Are equall'd not by many; Her look it charms, her love it warms, The flower of Keir is f.a.n.n.y.
CONSTANCY.
Oh! I have traversed lands afar, O'er mountains high, and prairies green; Still above me like a star, Serene and bright thy love has been; Still above me like a star, To gladden, guide, and keep me free From every ill. Oh, life were chill, Apart, my love, apart from thee.
Other eyes might beam as bright, And other cheeks as rosy be; Other arms as pure and white, And other lips as sweet to pree; But ruddy lips, or beaming eyes, However fond and fair to see, I could not, would not love or prize Apart, my love, apart from thee.
Other friends.h.i.+ps I have known, Friends.h.i.+ps dear, and pure, and kind; Liking soon to friends.h.i.+p grown, Love is friends.h.i.+p's ore refined.
Oh, what is life, with love denied?