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The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson
  
  

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I DREAM'D I LAY

I

I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing
Gaily in the sunny beam,
List'ning to the wild birds singing,
By a falling crystal stream;
Straight the sky grew black and daring,
Thro' the woods the whirlwinds rave,
Trees with agèd arms were warring
O'er the swelling, drumlie wave.

II

Such was my life's deceitful morning,
Such the pleasures I enjoy'd!
But lang or noon loud tempests, storming,
A' my flowery bliss destroy'd.

19

Tho' fickle Fortune has deceiv'd me
(She promis'd fair, and perform'd but ill),
Of monie a joy and hope bereav'd me,
I bear a heart shall support me still.