 | The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson |  |
TO NANNY.
The subject of this song was servant to a respectable family, where the Author for some time resided, in Carlisle. She was an affectionate, beautiful girl, virtuous as beautiful, and rejoiced in the happiness of her fellow-creatures. Alas! poor Nanny, tho' she often listened to Robin's rhymes, forgot his instructions; for won by a harpy, who gloried in seduction, she sunk a prey to remorse, and was borne to the grave soon afterwards, deeply lamented.
Now, Nanny, in thy fifteenth year,
Tak tent, an' listen my advice;
Tho' thou canst boast nae lands or gear;
Yet thou'lt hae wooers in a trice.
But O, be wary! now's the time,
When luive lurks in thy glancin e'e;
Or thou'lt sup sorrow, ere thy prime,
For man's a wretch, unknown to thee!
Tak tent, an' listen my advice;
Tho' thou canst boast nae lands or gear;
Yet thou'lt hae wooers in a trice.
But O, be wary! now's the time,
When luive lurks in thy glancin e'e;
Or thou'lt sup sorrow, ere thy prime,
For man's a wretch, unknown to thee!
A bonnier lip ne'er wan a heart—
A brighter e'e ne'er shot one thro'
Thy cheek may match the fairest flow'r,
That ever drank the e'ening dew:
Yet, be thou wary! &c.
A brighter e'e ne'er shot one thro'
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That ever drank the e'ening dew:
Yet, be thou wary! &c.
Let not puir Robin's humble praise
Lift thee o'er high; the truth he'll tell:
Sham fa' the loon, whase rhymin' phrase
Maks onie lass forget hersel!
Still be thou wary! &c.
Lift thee o'er high; the truth he'll tell:
Sham fa' the loon, whase rhymin' phrase
Maks onie lass forget hersel!
Still be thou wary! &c.
Like bees aroun a hinny flow'r,
They'll buz about thee, grin, and sing;
But never let them steal thy sweets,
Lest aff they fly, an' leave a sting.
O lass, be wary! &c.
They'll buz about thee, grin, and sing;
But never let them steal thy sweets,
Lest aff they fly, an' leave a sting.
O lass, be wary! &c.
Sin' smoothest water's deepest found,
Ay shun the slee pretendin' chiel;
For he whase heart but harbours guile,
Deserves a match wou'd match the Deil!
Then, O be wary! &c.
Ay shun the slee pretendin' chiel;
For he whase heart but harbours guile,
Deserves a match wou'd match the Deil!
Then, O be wary! &c.
Nor listen to the snivelin' fuil,
Wha raves 'bout lightning, flames, and darts;
Sic trash is learn'd in onie schuil,
An' aft has broke the best o' hearts!
Be wary, Nanny! &c.
Wha raves 'bout lightning, flames, and darts;
Sic trash is learn'd in onie schuil,
An' aft has broke the best o' hearts!
Be wary, Nanny! &c.
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Let simple nature be thy guide:
Ay seek an honest heart to win;
An' be the lad no' worth a groat,
Tak courage, lass! the warl begin!
But, O be wary! now's the time,
When luive lurks in thy coal-black e'e;
Or thou'lt sup sorrow, ere thy prime,
For man's a wretch, unknown to thee!
Ay seek an honest heart to win;
An' be the lad no' worth a groat,
Tak courage, lass! the warl begin!
But, O be wary! now's the time,
When luive lurks in thy coal-black e'e;
Or thou'lt sup sorrow, ere thy prime,
For man's a wretch, unknown to thee!
| The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson | |