Mopsa the Fairy :: :: University of Virginia Library

Sweet is childhood—childhood's over,
Kiss and part.
Sweet is youth; but youth's a rover—
So's my heart.
Sweet is rest; but by all showing
Toil is nigh.
We must go. Alas! the going,
Say ‘good-bye.’

154

[On the rocks by Aberdeen]

On the rocks by Aberdeen,
Where the whislin' wave had been,
As I wandered and at e'en
Was eerie;
There I saw thee sailing west,
And I ran with joy opprest—
Ay, and took out all my best,
My dearie.

Then I busked mysel' wi' speed,
And the neighbours cried ‘What need?
'Tis a lass in any weed
Aye bonny!’
Now my heart, my heart is sair.
What's the good, though I be fair,
For thou'lt never see me mair,
Man Johnnie!

159

LIKE A LAVEROCK IN THE LIFT.

I

It's we two, it's we two, it's we two for aye,
All the world and we two, and Heaven be our stay.
Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride!
All the world was Adam once, with Eve by his side.

II

What's the world, my lass, my love!—what can it do?
I am thine, and thou art mine; life is sweet and new.
If the world have missed the mark, let it stand by,
For we two have gotten leave, and once more we'll try.

III

Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride!
It's we two, it's we two, happy side by side.
Take a kiss from me thy man; now the song begins:
‘All is made afresh for us, and the brave heart wins.’

IV

When the darker days come, and no sun will shine,
Thou shalt dry my tears, lass, and I'll dry thine.
It's we two, it's we two, while the world's away,
Sitting by the golden sheaves on our wedding-day.