Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle Edited by Alexander Rodger |
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WHETHER OR NO. |
 | Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle |  |
WHETHER OR NO.
'Mang a' the braw lads that come thither to woo me,
There's only but ane I wad fain mak' my joe;
And though I seem shy, yet sae dear is he to me,
I scarce can forgie mysel' when I say ‘No.’
My sister she sneers 'cause he hasna the penny,
And cries, ‘Ye maun reap, my lass, just as ye sow,’
My brither he bans, but it's a' ane to Jenny,
She'll just tak' the lad she likes—whether or no.
There's only but ane I wad fain mak' my joe;
And though I seem shy, yet sae dear is he to me,
I scarce can forgie mysel' when I say ‘No.’
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And cries, ‘Ye maun reap, my lass, just as ye sow,’
My brither he bans, but it's a' ane to Jenny,
She'll just tak' the lad she likes—whether or no.
My father he cries, ‘tak’ the laird o' Kinlogie,
For he has baith mailins and gowd to bestow;’
My mither cries neist, ‘tak' the heir o' Glenbogie,’
But can I please baith o' them?—weel I wat, no;
And since 'tis mysel' maun be gainer or loser—
Maun drink o' life's bicker, be't weal or be't woe—
I deem it but fair I should be my ain chooser;
To love will I lippen, then—whether or no.
For he has baith mailins and gowd to bestow;’
My mither cries neist, ‘tak' the heir o' Glenbogie,’
But can I please baith o' them?—weel I wat, no;
And since 'tis mysel' maun be gainer or loser—
Maun drink o' life's bicker, be't weal or be't woe—
I deem it but fair I should be my ain chooser;
To love will I lippen, then—whether or no.
Cauld prudence may count on his gowd and his acres,
And think them the sum o' a' blessings below,
But tell me, can wealth bring content to its makers?
The care-wrinkled face o' the miser says ‘No!’
But, oh, when pure love meets a love corresponding,
Such bliss it imparts as the world cannot know;
It lightens life's load, keeps the heart from desponding,
Let fate smile or scowl, it smiles—whether or no.
And think them the sum o' a' blessings below,
But tell me, can wealth bring content to its makers?
The care-wrinkled face o' the miser says ‘No!’
But, oh, when pure love meets a love corresponding,
Such bliss it imparts as the world cannot know;
It lightens life's load, keeps the heart from desponding,
Let fate smile or scowl, it smiles—whether or no.
| Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle | |