The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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| III. |
ON A BANK OF FLOWERS |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
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ON A BANK OF FLOWERS
I
On a bank of flowers in a summer day,For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay
With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wand'ring thro' the wood,
Who for her favour oft had sued—
He gaz'd, he wish'd,
He fear'd, he blush'd,
And trembled where he stood.
II
Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheath'd,Were seal'd in soft repose;
Her lips, still as she fragrant breath'd,
It richer dyed the rose;
The springing lilies, sweetly prest,
Wild-wanton kiss'd her rival breast:
He gaz'd, he wish'd,
He fear'd, he blush'd,
His bosom ill at rest.
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III
Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,Her tender limbs embrace;
Her lovely form, her native ease,
All harmony and grace.
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole:
He gaz'd, he wish'd,
He fear'd, he blush'd,
And sigh'd his very soul.
IV
As flies the partridge from the brakeOn fear-inspired wings,
So Nelly starting, half-awake,
Away affrighted springs.
But Willie follow'd—as he should;
He overtook her in the wood;
He vow'd, he pray'd,
He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |