The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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| III. |
HUSBAND, HUSBAND, CEASE YOUR STRIFE |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
HUSBAND, HUSBAND, CEASE YOUR STRIFE
I
Husband, husband, cease your strife,Nor longer idly rave, sir!
Tho' I am your wedded wife,
Yet I am not your slave, sir.
‘One of two must still obey,
Nancy, Nancy!
Is it Man or Woman, say,
My spouse Nancy?’
II
‘If 'tis still the lordly word,Service and obedience,
I'll desert my sov'reign lord,
And so goodbye, allegiance!’
‘Sad will I be so bereft,
Nancy, Nancy!
Yet I'll try to make a shift,
My spouse Nancy!’
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III
‘My poor heart, then break it must,My last hour I am near it:
When you lay me in the dust,
Think, how will you bear it?’
‘I will hope and trust in Heaven,
Nancy, Nancy!
Strength to bear it will be given,
My spouse Nancy.’
IV
‘Well, sir, from the silent dead,Still I'll try to daunt you:
Ever round your midnight bed
Horrid sprites shall haunt you!’
‘I'll wed another like my dear,
Nancy, Nancy!
Then all Hell will fly for fear,
My spouse Nancy!’
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |