The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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TO WILLIE CHALMERS' SWEETHEART |
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| IV. |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
TO WILLIE CHALMERS' SWEETHEART
I
Wi' braw new branks in mickle pride,And eke a braw new brechan,
My Pegasus I'm got astride,
And up Parnassus pechin:
Whyles owre a bush wi' downward crush
The doited beastie stammers;
Then up he gets, and off he sets
For sake o' Willie Chalmers.
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II
I doubt na, lass, that weel kend nameMay cost a pair o' blushes:
I am nae stranger to your fame,
Nor his warm-urgèd wishes:
Your bonie face, sae mild and sweet,
His honest heart enamours;
And faith! ye'll no be lost a whit,
Tho' wair'd on Willie Chalmers.
III
Auld Truth hersel might swear ye're fair,And Honor safely back her;
And Modesty assume your air,
And ne'er a ane mistak her;
And sic twa love-inspiring een
Might fire even holy palmers:
Nae wonder then they've fatal been
To honest Willie Chalmers!
IV
I doubt na Fortune may you shoreSome mim-mou'd, pouther'd priestie,
Fu' lifted up wi' Hebrew lore
And band upon his breastie;
But O, what signifies to you
His lexicons and grammars?
The feeling heart's the royal blue,
And that's wi' Willie Chalmers.
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V
Some gapin, glowrin countra lairdMay warsle for your favour:
May claw his lug, and straik his beard,
And hoast up some palaver.
My bonie maid, before ye wed
Sic clumsy-witted hammers,
Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp
Awa wi' Willie Chalmers.
VI
Forgive the Bard! My fond regardFor ane that shares my bosom
Inspires my Muse to gie'm his dues,
For deil a hair I roose him.
May Powers aboon unite you soon,
And fructify your ámours,
And every year come in mair dear
To you and Willie Chalmers!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |