The later poems of John Clare :: :: University of Virginia Library

The later poems of John Clare

1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

Clare, John (1793-1864)

Volume I

II.

Volume II

KNIGHT TRANSCRIPTS VOLUME TWO

THE LAST SIX POEMS

POEMS FROM BAKER'S GLOSSARY

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II. Volume II

665

KNIGHT TRANSCRIPTS VOLUME TWO

THE SWEET-BRERE

1

I' the springs morning dews
I' the bud of the year
When their mates the birds choose
How I love the sweet-brere
A sweet bonny bush
How sweet it smells still
Where bows the green rush
And where swells the mole hill
O dear do I love thee the bonny sweet brere
As it scents the soft winds in the spring of the year

2

O the bonny sweet brere
That grows on the wild heath
That smells comeing near
As sweet as childs breath
O the green sweet brere bushes
With its pink blushing rose
The haunts o' song thrushes
At the days dewy close
In eve's dewy walk how I love the sweet brere
Perfuming the wild wood nine moons in the year

666

3

O the bonny sweet brere
To walk there with a lover
To kiss her when near
Is sweetness all over
'Tis as sweet as true love
And as beauty's smile dear
When the dews from above
Bends the bonny sweet brere
On the furze clad heath how I love the sweet brere
And the bonny speck'ld thrush in this youth of the year

TO JENNY LIND

1

I cannot touch the harp again
And sing another idle Lay
To cool a maddening burning brain
And drive the midnight fiend away
Music own sister to the soul
Bids roses bloom on cheeks all pale
And sweet her joys and sorrows roll
When sings the Sweedish Nightingale

667

2

The Lilies of the field are fair
Nought on their whiteness emulates
Nature in pleasure says they are
Words cannot musics charms create
Nor musings of an idle lay
With music magic e'er prevail
Voice of the soul they steal away
From the young Sweedish Nightingale

3

I cannot touch the harp again
No chords will vibrate on the string
Like broken flowers upon the plain
My heart e'en withers while I sing
Eolian harps have witching tones
On morning or the evening gale
No melody their music owns
As sings the Sweedish Nightingale

Feby 12th/49.

PRIMROSES

1

I sing of Primroses pale sweet Primroses
That deck woods and spinney's and fringe the green lane
The briar has its thorns but the thornless first roses
Have opened to cheer and not wound us again
O sweet are the Primroses down the green lane

668

2

The white thorn is putting out leaves to the sunshine
The moss round their roots is delightfully green
The dewy pearled primroses glitter by moonshine
And the rich curled leaves look deliciously green
In lanes and moss nooks where primroses are seen

3

The hedgerow primroses the pale wood primroses
Where brown oaken leaves litter all the year long
Neath the broad oaks and hedge-rows about the green closes
Where the thrush makes his nest and the blackbird his song
Their leaves and their flowers I love all the year long

4

Come again my dear Patty and gather primroses
Where blackbirds loud whistle and song thrushes sing
I' the leafy strewn woods narrow lanes and green closes
How sweet are the Primroses gathered in Spring
And round her I've named like the Ivy I'd cling—

SONG

[The girl I love is flesh and blood]

1

The girl I love is flesh and blood
With face and form of fairest clay
Straight as the firdale in the wood
And lovely as a first spring day

2

The girl I love's a lovely girl
Bonny and young in every feature
Richer than flowers and strings o' pearl
A handsome and delightful creature

669

3

She's born to grace the realms above
Where we shall both be seen together
And sweet and fair the maid I love
As rose tree's are in summer weather

4

O bonny straight and fair is she
I wish we both lived close together
Like as the acorns on the tree
Or foxglove bell in summer weather

5

Come to me love and let us dwell
Where oak trees cluster all together
I'll gaze upon thy blossoms well
And love, yes love thee then forever

6

Her face is like another's face
As white another's skin may prove
But no one else could fill her place
If banished from the maid I love

THE WOODLAND STROLL

1

Among the green bushes where primroses bloom
I sing to myself and wander alone
And by mossy roots hear the wilding bees hum
Persueing the sunbeams with wearisome drone
Stealing kisses from primroses all in their bloom

670

2

I leave the rude noise of the wearisome world
And hide me in thickets of white and black thorn
Where primroses blossom all crispy and curled
And spangled wi' dew at the breath o' the morn.
O' theres ne'er such a feeling of joy in the world

3

I wander alone i'th' green white thorn bushes
And mock the fond whistles of glad singing birds
Where the winds o'er my head like loch river rushes
And the musical bleating of heath feeding herds
And see birds building nests in the early green bushes

4

Among the green bushes where primroses glisten
And violets purple the mossy oak roots
Where boys creep i' the thicket to gather and listen
And fill trowsers pockets with beautiful toots
While the sun o'er the trees has just risen

5

Among the green bushes where primroses bloom
I sing to myself as I wander alone
And among the wood flowers hear the wilding bee's hum
Persueing its ramble with wearisome drone
Stealing kisses from primroses in their first bloom

671

THE WALK WITH LOVE

1

I walk with thee and meet the spring
In most delicious weather
Birds whistle and the blossoms spring
We see and hear together
And one and the same time we see
The pale primroses bloom
The skylarks sing o'er grassy lea
And linnets in the broom
There's nothing upon earth can be
So sweet as walks with love and thee

2

I walk with thee, I with thee walk
We spend our Sunday hours together
Both hear the music of the bee
And butterflies in sunny weather
Both at the same time look and see
The lark ascends we see him rise
And hear him sing his melodies
A little speck in the blue skies
There's nought so sweet in summer weather
As love, and seeing things together

3

Both see the bloom and hear the thrush
In white thorn bushes sing his song
The blackbirds nest in the next bush
Both see the eggs then rove along

672

Both gaze together on the brook
See silver waves o'er pebbles run
Both read together o'er one book
Beneath green trees or in the sun
In courtship there can nothing be
So sweet as talk and love with thee

THE INVITATION

1

Come hither my fair one my choice one & rare one
And let us be walking the meadows so fair
Where pilewort & daiseys—In light & gold blazes
And the wind plays so sweet in thy bonny brown hair

2

Come in thy maiden eye—lay silks and satins bye
Come in thy russet or green cotton gown
Come to the meads my dear where flag sedge & reeds appear
Rustling to soft winds & bow up and down

3

Come with thy parted hair, bright eyes and forhead bare
Come to the white thorn that grows in the lane
On banks of primroses where sweetness reposes
Come love and let us be happy again

4

Come where the speedwell flowers, come where the morning showers
Pearl on the primrose and speedwell so blue
Come to that clearest brook, that ever runs round the nook
Where you and I pledged our first love so true—

673

TO MISS D.W.—

1

There is a maid, and she to me
Is all that love may ever be
To meet at morn her rosey smiles
With loves delight my bosom boils
To meet her i' the evening dew
Is sweetest joy I ever knew
I dare do anything but tell
The name of her I love so well

2

She has to me the sweetest mind
And fairest face o' woman kind
Her soul within her bright eye glows
Her red lips are the parted rose
Her bosom fair the lilys light
Is nothing near so fair and white
Her voice to me is more than fame
My cheek turns pale to hear her name

3

I never dare as yet presume
To kiss her cheeks carnation bloom
To her I dare no talk design
And yet I think the maiden's mine
Still mine if but the maiden knew
I'd tremble like a drop o' dew
Love hides a yolk within the shell
The bird I never dare to tell

674

SONG

[My sweet Irish Kitty]

1

My sweet Irish Kitty
Fair lovely and pretty
Takes all the shine out of our fair Dublin city.
For Kitty you know in her silk gown o' green
Is all over Ireland the Irishmans queen
So now Mr. Bull gi's no more of your Blarney
Irelands queen is all right and she lives at Killarney

2

And handsome and pretty
Is beautiful Kitty
There's ne'er such another in a' Dublin city
She's sometimes in black, and she's sometimes in green
In each dress she wears she's the Irishmans queen
So now Mr Bull gi's no more of your Blarney
The queen o' ould Ireland's the Maid o' Killarney

3

O buxom young Kitty
So lovely and pretty
She takes all the shine out o' Dublins fair city
In satins or silks o' black, blue, white or green
And all over Ireland she's the Irishmans queen
So Mr John Bull you may stifle your Blarney
Ould Ireland's proud queen is the Maid o' Killarney—

675

[The morning wakes dewy & sunny & light]

1

The morning wakes dewy & sunny & light
By the hedges the Arum's green glossy and bright
And spring's getting greener from morning to night
The dews pearl on pilewort & on violets blue
Rural maids by the stile court their lovers so true

2

I' the hedges hedge sparrows continually cheep
Further in by the mossy roots primroses peep
Riddled wool on the white thorn torn off from the sheep
I' the green leaves hangs white as snows melted & fled
While the ivy leaves bright shiver wispers o'er head

3

Like the wispering of lovers, that each other greet—
The blackthorn's in blossom as white as a sheet
The green moss elastic springing under the feet
While cuckoo's and blue bells sprout up and appear
And shows where the dew fell the spring o' the year

CLIFFORD HILL

1

The river rambles like a snake
Along the meadow green
And loud the noise the mill wheels make
I' summer time at e'en

676

And there as swift the waters pass
So runs the life of man
I sit me down upon the grass
These beauties for to scan

2

Tis summers day and dewy eve
And sweet the sun sinks low
I smile, and yet my heart will greive
To see the waters flow
To see the flags that look so green
The sun gilt waves so bright
I wander here this lovely e'en
In wonder and delight

3

The firs look dark on Clifford hill
The river bright below
All foamed beneath the water mill
While beautious flowers do blow
'Tis here I'd wander morn and night
With fondly gazing eye
To see the sunny golden light
Go down in yonder sky—

4

Yes dearly do these scenes I love
And dear that fir clad hill
There all secure does build the dove
While click-clack goes the mill
And now in natures sweet repose
I leave this spot awile
The bee is buried in the rose
And man gone from his toil

677

FIRST LOVE

1

I ne'er was struck before that hour
With love so sudden and so sweet
Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower
And stole my heart away complete
My face turned pale a deadly pale
My legs refused to walk away
And when she looked what could I ail
My life and all seemed turned to clay

2

And then my blood rushed to my face
And took my eyesight quite away
The trees and bushes round the place
Seemed midnight at noon day
I could not see a single thing
Words from my eyes did start
They spoke as chords do from the string
And blood burnt round my heart

3

Are flowers the winters choice
Is love's bed always snow
She seemed to hear my silent voice
Not loves appeals to know
I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before
My heart has left its dwelling place
And can return no more—

678

MY SAILOR LAD

1

O well I mind the morn was chill
The black thorn hung i' drops
And gaily turned the old smock mill
Though now it almost stops
In jacket and in trowsers blue
I left my sailor lad
The ocean keeps him stout and true
And he was all I had

2

A slight shower fell from a light sky
And pearled each grassy blade
And half put out the daisey eye
All gold and silver rayed
And on each freckled fox glove bell
Hung rows & strings o' pearl
When he last kissed and loved me well
And called me ‘dearest girl’

3

Three times the common has been white
With daiseys since he went
The white thorn blossoming i' light
The foxglove downward bent
But he's not yet to me returned
That gave my bosom joy
Nor one day have I sat and mourned
My abscent sailor boy

679

SONG

[The maple hangs its green bee flowers]

1

The maple hangs its green bee flowers
All pendant to the summer showers
Above the blue-bell drooping flowers
Where may-time tinges the skies
My mountain pearl
My lovely girl
My dearest maid arise

2

The daisey hills the mossy woods
The cultures fields the meadow floods
Green leaves expanding from spring buds
Neath skies all crisp and curled
My own dear girl
And bosom pearl
Come forth and charm the world

3

Come forth my own my charming girl
With rosey face and teeth of pearl
Where green grass quakes and rivers swirl
Through finest scenery
My hopes above
My fond first love
Come out and walk with me

4

How purple light delights to dwell
Within the Canterbury bell
Beside the wood-rale blooming well
My mountain maid arise
These flowers we'll view
In morning dew
To gladden thy bright eyes

680

5

A dew drop on the kingcup lies
While from its root the ground lark flies
The sun is mounting up the skies
And gilds the stretching glade
Awake and come
Awile from home
And be my own dear maid

THE PARTING

1

O the moment was sad when I went from my true love
With her red cheeks and bright eyes blue grey
I kissed her wet cheek and ne'er sighed for a new love
And the wind sighed by us that day
I saw her heart sob wi' my arm on her shoulder
More fast than a watch while I fond did enfold her
And all the soft thoughts o' my fond heart I told her
While my cheek on her bosom did lay

2

Ere the breezes of eve put the green leaves i' motion
Wi' her red rose cheek and her eyes blue grey
I left my fond lover to cross the wide ocean
And the white thorn covered with may
Wi' my arm round her waist and my cheek on her breast
It beat like a watch and its sorrows confest
I kissed that fair cheek and lull'd her to rest
Then steered for the fleet in the bay

681

3

Poor girl she stood there more fixed than a statue
And white as the marble even paler than snow
At the brig foot the bramble leaved thorny and matty
As the sun on its leaves glittered golden and low
Round my neck her white arms did most fondly enfold me
I kissed her fond lips Cupid smiled to behold me
And love the most fond in my abscence he told me
Ere from her I tore me to go

THE SAILOR

1

O once I loved a sailor well
Dear as I loved my life
What ailed me I could never tell
But I longed to be his wife
He looked at me when I loved him
Love is a strong prevailer
I loved my beau, so tight and trim
And longed to wed my sailor

2

In trowsers and in jacket blue
I saw him pace the ship
And gaze upon the ocean blue
And walk without a trip
No fear was in his manly face
No tremor in his tread
He marched the deck with steady pace
Where he had fought and bled

682

3

He calmly gazed across the blue
A man in every limb
In trowsers and in jacket blue
None looked so clean and trim
I gazed upon him one fine day
While lying within shore
My heart the sailor stole away
He keeps for ever more

SONG

[Meet me in the primrose lane]

1

Meet me in the primrose lane
When moonlight lives above thee
I'll kiss thy rosey face again
And everlasting love thee

2

Meet me where white clover grows
In the dewy grass love
Meet me where white roses blows
And brooks run clear as glass love

3

In the evening I intreat thee
When the dew is on the breere
Down the lane o' woodbines meet me
While the brook is running clear

4

While the round moon shines so brightly
And the diamond star o' even
O'er the lime trees shineth nightly
Making earth a lovers heaven

683

5

Among the short white blossom'd clover
Neath the ash trees shadows there
While the clouds the moon flies over
Let me meet my angel fair

6

Kiss good night—and ease my bosom
Rest my hope in slumbers then
While the dew drop pearls the blossom
And silence sleeps about the glen—

THE WILD ROSE

1

The hedge rose blossoms like thy face
Sweet red and white together
And shadows wave about the place
Where branches twist together

2

The leaves dance to a merry tune
And boughs wave like to billows
A flowry carpet throughout june
And concert in the willows

3

Dews bead the headaches like to gems
And corn blades like to rain
God's love does nothing here condemn
All live free from sins pain

684

4

Then let us meet at dewy morn
Or else at golden noon
Or evening mid the waving corn
Or night while shines the moon

5

The hedge row was our tristing place
Beside the rose tree fair
There nature smiled on thy sweet face
The fairest wild rose there

THE HUMBLE BEE

1

When lifes tempests blow high
In seclusion I tread
Where the primroses lie
And the green mosses spread
Where the bottle tit hangs
At the end of a twig
Where the humble bee bangs
That is almost as big

2

Where I feel my heart lonely
I am solitudes own
Talking to myself only
And walking woods lone

685

In the wood briars and brambles
Hazel stools and oak trees
I enjoy such wood rambles
And hear the wood bees

3

That sing their wood journey
And stop at wood blooms
Where the primroses burn ye
And the violet perfumes
There to myself talking
I rub through the bushes
And the boughs where I'm walking
Like a sudden wind rushes

4

The wood gate keeps creaking
Opened ever so slow
And from boughs bent to breaking
Often starts the odd crow
Right down the green riding
Gladly winds the wild bee
Then through the wood side in
He sucks flowers in glee

5

He flies through the stovens
Brown hazel and grey
Through fern leaves like ovens
Still singing his way
He rests on a moss bed
And perks up his heels
And strokes o'er his small head
Then hies to the fields

686

6

I enjoy these wood rambles
And the juicey wheat fields
Where the wood rose—and brambles
A showers covert yields
I love the wood journey
Where the violets melt blue
And primroses burn ye
With flames the day through

THE MILLERS DAUGHTER

1

Where ducks dive in the silent water
And geese about the river swim
A miller had a handsome daughter
Beautiful in shape and limb
Her hair and eye was dark and handsome
Her neck and bosom like the swan
White fair and sweet—a poets ransom
To glad and cheer the heart of man

2

I love the millers handsome daughter
And bonny Susan is her name
I courted her a year and quarter
And wrote this ballad on her name
I courted her beside the river
While bright the silver moon beam shone
I'd clasp her in my arms for ever
And vow to love but her alone

687

3

The moonlight shone on trees and farms
The waves like gold and silver past
While Susan smiled within my arms
And each smile lovelier than the last
Soft wispering words the sedges made
The moonlight rippled on the water
Where I that evening wooed the maid
The honest Millers handsome daughter—

TO L. M.---

1

My dear Lucy Mary my sweet Lucy Mary
How can you love truely by acting contrary
To say that you would and then would not walk out
You bring me my death when you leave me in doubt
O sweet Lucy Mary how can you do so
Such a fine day as this is and then never go
At first you said yes—but an hour is gone bye
And now you say no—which makes me to sigh

2

The wind from the road blows the March dust about
And the bees on the hive slabs spread their wings and fly out
The sparrows chirp glad and the laying hens prate
While young Lucy Mary looks over the gate
The needle you sew with pricks me to the bone
And the heart in your bosom is none but my own
So come my own Mary to walk let's be gone
You and I both together will only make one

688

3

My dear Lucy Mary as loved as you'r fair
Let me see that sweet cheek shaded by thy dark hair
May I kiss thy sweet lips and see heaven nigh
As true as it is in the light of the sky
O let me now love thee—I'll love thee the best
Then I'll love all the world, and its sorrows to rest
For heaven that lies in the gleams o' the west
Is sweeter and dearer in dear womans breast

[In the seasons o' swallows that brings the bright sun]

1

In the seasons o' swallows that brings the bright sun
And never comes nigh 'till the lammies a' run
Ever skimming and crossing the gravel paved brook
While the children bright daisies and buttercups look

2

I courted a maid without satin or silk
That went all the week—night and morning to milk
And sat on the rest harrow by the mole hill
Where I first fell in love—and I see her sit still

3

The sun was a setting—the cowpasture pond
Curved i' wrinkles o' gold and o' silver beyond
The molehills where covered in patches o' thyme
And the season for courting was just in its prime

4

Her face it was lovely and so was her clothes
A hue the same colour on the sweet briar grows
Her neck and her shoulders was whiter than milk
And her lips were so soft—yes much softer than silk

689

5

Her words fell like music from those pretty lips
And her eyes—as the fly in the water pond dips
Owned two sparks of light that made the sun dim
While the dragon-fly darted about the pond brim

6

On the pasture I courted her both even and morn
Till the rest harrow podded and ripe was the corn
Yes I've loved her there by the side of that hill
And they tell me she blooms and is lovelier still

[Come away come away to the wild wood]

1

Come away come away to the wild wood
Where the bramble o'erhangs the foot way
The scenes o' my love youth and childhood
Where I with young Hannah did stray
The bits of wood hang on the briar
Which small birds seek for nests
The pettichap that sings so quere
And robins riddle brests—

2

Come away come away to the scenes of our childhood
And we'll find out the red robins nest
The bramble bush grows in the wild wood
That owns the song thrush for a guest
Come away come away to the bramble
Come away to the hazle and thorn
To the scenes o' our youth let us ramble
And be happy as sunshine just born

690

3

Come away to the oak and the ivy
To the fox earths that hides i' the thorn [OMITTED]
Where the oak trunks look whiter than smoke i the morn
Come away come away at the burst of the sun
There is flowers to be gathered and joy to be won
So come on my sweet one—and let us be there
Where hyacinth and primroses blossom so fair

4

Come away to the haunts o' the bird and the bee
And listen to music o' natures grand art
Where the flowers beat all painting do come now with me
For music and beauty must never more part
Come away to the woods where the oaks glitter green
And brown lie in heaps where last winter has been
Where the bloom o' the thorn is as white as a sheet
And the moss like green velvet flowers under your feet
Come away my sweet one my choice come away
And we'll spend a sweet hour in the woodlands to day

SCOTLAND

1

Ould Scotlands bonny woods and braes
And streams that rin a hundred ways
Where lassies show their tartan claes
Your hills are doubly dear
Your hills in clouds that leave the e'e
Your rivers rinning to the sea
Perpetual green your valleys be
An Eden a' the year

691

2

Land where the thistle's bleum sojourns
O' Alice Nichol Jeannie Burns
Where sang an' beauty a' sojourns
Companions a' the year
Land o' the thistle and white rose
Where milk an' mountain hinney flows
Where heather like an ocean grows
A world without a' peer—

3

Land o' the honest nun forsakes
The whiskey gill and nodden cakes
Which Scottish lassies brews and makes
A' gude their health shall be
May peace gleam round the thistles bloom
And God send a' the ills that cum
Oer a' thy hills i' gleam and gloom
And Scotland will be free

HERE'S TO AULD SCOTLAND

1

Here's to auld Scotland's hills and dells
All round her sea beat shore
A hundred thousand last farewells
And adieu's for evermore
But to the stars o' that sweet land
Whose eyes are like the sun
I might bid farewell for ever and
And never more be done

692

2

Its Ailsies and its Jeanies there
Its Nichols Thoms's Burns
There none sa sweet and none sa fair
In other lands sojourns
The rose in ither bonnie face
The lilies o' the breast
Sic like in ony ither place
War niver seen or guest

3

The inward blushes o' the rose
In living beauty dims
And not so white the lily grows
As are their lovely limbs
Here's to ould Scotlands hills and dells
All round her sea washed shore
A hundred thousand last farewells
And adieus for ever more

COME! COME IN THE FIELDS

1

O come wi' the music o' birds i' the bushes
The songs o' the blackbirds the music o' thrushes
The budding o' white thorn the daisey's i' bloom
My lovely young lassie array thee and come
Come away to the wood side the hedge row and rushes
Where the sweet little birds build their nests in the bushes
Come my lovely Miss Wilson and walk out wi' me
Down the grassy wood side—and the sweet meadow lea

693

2

The rooks their spring musical noises are making
The cowslips are peeping among grasses green
The swift racking clouds o'er the heavens are breaking
'Till a' the bright blue o' its ceiling is seen
My lovely Miss Wilson thou beautiful creature
Come come in the fields this beautiful noon
Thy beauty is Venus in every feature
Then haste thee my sweet one and come with me soon

3

The pewit is swooping and whewing and screaming
The amber trailed willow is mouse eared wi' leaves
Woolpacks o' clouds o'er the heavens are streaming
Sweet green is the tint now the meadow receives
My sweetest Miss Wilson put on thy straw bonnet
By the violet bank and awthorn come to me soon
We'll walk the short grass with the morn dew upon it
And wisper fond love before afternoon—

MARY BOYFIELD

1

How beautiful the summer night
When birds roost on the mossy tree
When moon and stars are shining bright
And home has gone the weary bee

694

Then Mary Boyfield seeks the glen
The white awe-thorn and grey oak tree
And nought but heaven can tell me then
How dear thy beauty is to me

2

Dear is the dew-drop to the flower
The old wall to the weary bee
And silence to the evening hour
And ivy to the stooping tree
Dearer than these than all beside
Than blossoms to the moss rose tree
The maid who wanders by my side
Sweet Mary Boyfield is to me—

3

Sweet is the moonlight on the tree
The stars above the glassy lake
That from the bottom look at me
Through shadows on the crimping brake
Sweet are such things but sweeter still
Than these and all beside I see
The maid to whom I mean no ill
Dear Mary Boyfield is to me

4

O Mary with the dark brown hair
The rosey cheek the beaming eye
I would thy shade was ever there
Then never more I'd grieve or sigh

695

I love thee Mary dearly love
There's nought so fair on earth I see
There's nought so dear in heaven above
As Mary Boyfield is to me

SONG

[Dear Phebe I love thee and that on for ever]

1

Dear Phebe I love thee and that on for ever
And thy heart in thy bosom shall ne'er have a fear in't
I'll meet thee this once and I'll part wi' thee never
Thy love shall be sweetness without any tear in't
I love thee sweet Phebe my dearest I love thee
The green grass beneath thee the clouds sail above thee
In my hearts first affections none other could moove me
As the woodbine the oak—nought but death e're should part me

2

I'll part wi' thee never thou fond one thou fair one
And sweet will the bud be when thy branches bear one
The flower o' its mother and nothing's more fair
Sweet maid o' the bright eye and dark flowing hair

696

With a song like the thrush and a voice like the dove
Her eyes and her thoughts breathe of nothing but love
Soft as the winds wispers that bends the flowers down
Or stir o' the little weeds brushed by thy gown—

3

Sweet Phebe my dearest my beautiful Phebe
With a face full o' roses and bosom o' snow
A bosom o' snow love where Cupid goes beeby—
And beautiful veins o'er the lily banks flow
Then Phebe my darling round the strings o' thy apron
I'd uggle my arms like the wings of a Capon
To kiss the milk white of thy bosom so fair
And rose on thy cheek hid in leaves o' black hair

BY CLARE—TO BE PLACED AT THE BACK OF HIS PORTRATE PRESENTED TO INSKIP BY MRS. PRICHARD

1

Bard of the mossy cot
Known through all ages
Leaving no line to blot
All through thy pages

697

Bard of the fallow field
And the green meadow
Where the sweet birds build
Nature thy widow

2

Bard of the wild flowers
Rain washed and wind shaken
Dear to thee was mild showers
And heaths o' green bracan
The song o' the wild bird
Than nothing seemed dearer
The low o' the mild herd
And sheep bleating nearer

3

Bard o' the sheep pen
The stack yard and stable
The hovel in bracken glen
Where a stone makes a table
There the white daisey blooms
With a tear in his eye
There Jenny Wren comes
When winter is bye

4

Comes there and builds anew
His pudding bag nest
Hidden from rain and dew
The milking cows guest
Bard o' the mossy shed
Live on for ages
Daiseys bloom by thy bed
And live in thy pages

698

A THOUGHT

A night without a morning
A trouble without end
A life of bitter scorning
A world without a friend

June 30th/49

MARY APPLEBY

1

Mary Appleby come now the spring is here fairly
And leave the dull city and town
Come where the cowslips all blossom so early
And the plovers they swoop up and down
The deepest green shade it lies on the grass
And the deepest green leaf's on the white thorn tree
And I will walk there with a sweet bonny lass
My beautiful young Mary Ann Appleby—

2

Beautiful morning comes sweet Mary Appleby
The grasses are beaded wi' April dew
There starts the butterfly and the drone dapple bee
And all the gay landscape seems waiting for you

699

3

How sweet in the morn the flight o' the swallow
How sweet rushes wave i' the swamps o' the lake
The daiseys and ladysmocks bloom i' the hollow
And loud is the calling the pewit birds make
O come Mary Appleby sweet Mary Appleby
Gather bright cowslips upon the green lea
Come wi' gold butterfly and the great dapple bee
For surely dear Mary I dearly love thee

SONG

[How sweet are the songs o' the birds i' the bushes]

1

How sweet are the songs o' the birds i' the bushes
When April's soft showers pearl the flowers on the lea
I look into nests o' the blackbirds and thrushes
And think how one loves them that's dear unto me
O was she but with me I think so and often
Among the green bushes how glad should I be
Where her smiles would delight and her kindness would soften
The sorrows that trouble this bosom and me

2

We looked for birds nests when left children together
And gathered the primrose by thorns mossy roots
How bright shone the sun and sweet was the weather
We looked at the blossoms and hunted for fruits
We clomb up the dyke bank and mastered it often
And sometimes fell backward and made a sore place
Now fair as a snowdrop mans hardships to soften
She ne'er looks the bloom o' a smile in my face

700

3

She's vain o' her person and proud o' her beauty
The sun seems to fade at the light o' her eye
She's Venus's self from her cap to her shoe tie
And charms all to worship that chance to go bye
How sweet are the songs o' the blackbirds and thrushes
How sweet is the hum of the Midsummer bee
And courting my lover among the green bushes
Makes the green earth itself what the heaven will be

MARY FEATHERSTONE

1

O bonny Mary Featherstone she stole my heart away
One year she kept it prisoner—I knew not what to say
She kept my heart a prisoner and like a clocking hen
I clucked o' notes o' tenderness when the chickins leave the pen
I looked upon her pink gown that fitted her so well
As fellons look on heaven through the burning chinks o' hell
Her gown was pink her hair was black her bonny face was fair
And I sighed for Mary Featherstone 'till it bordered on dispair

2

O bonny Mary Featherstone no maid could her excell
When among the sweet spring flowers in a pink gown she did dwell
Her hair was black as any coal and rosy pink her gown
Her eyes were bright her lips more sweet than any face in town

701

Young bonny Mary Featherstone was bonny as the flowers
And I've stood near the wicket gate to notice her for hours
Bright bloomed the mallows silken flowers a dress o' sattin hue
They bloomed where she was daily seen so bonny and so true

3

O bonny Mary Featherstone on her my fancies dwell
I love her all the year about but that I never tell
I love to see her garden gay—the pretty flowers beside
For there my bonny Mary in her dwelling does reside
And day and night the year about I do nought else but think
Of bonny Mary's rosy face and curls as black as ink
And if she dont relieve me I very soon must go
To the land of death and shadows in the regions down below

JANE WILSON

1

Sweet is the mild snowdrop that comes in the spring
When the homely drest hedge sparrow ventures to sing
The crocus how sweet looking-glass o' the sun
It opens and glitters when spring has begun
And the love light o' spring I in exstacy see
In the rich amber trails o' the grey willow tree
But sweeter and fairer than all that I see
Is the beautiful form of young Jenny to me

2

How sweet flows the river that swells in the sun
Like billows o' gold they foam sparkle and run
How sweet the white thorn blossoms sprinkled wi' dew
How bright the kingfisher in orange and blue

702

How sweet the reeds rustle at evenings hour
When the rose hides the bee in the breast of the flower
But sweeter than reeds or the river to see
Is Jenny's sweet voice speaking kindly to me

3

She speaks me so kind, when we rest in this place
And I feel my heart warm as I look in her face
The willow waves o'er us so dusky and grey
As we rest and admire the sweet close of the day,
I stoop to the river to pluck her a flower
And we hear the birds sing at days closing hour
But dearer than flowers or the birds unto me
Is Jenny the loved one—I love only thee—

SONG

[Lucy bonny Lucy Brown]

1

Lucy bonny Lucy Brown
The prettiest girl in our town
With her in love I've often been
By shady woods and meadows green

2

Her face was like the apple round
Her voice had music in the sound
The prettiest girl in all the town
Was Lucy bonny Lucy Brown

703

3

Her cheek was soft her eye was bright
Like diamonds of the purest light
She lived the toast of all the town
The prettiest girl was Lucy Brown

4

Her bubbies they were love to see
More than the sight of heaven could be
Eve's was not more white than they
The most angelic form of clay

5

O lovely bonny Lucy Brown
The sweetest choice of all the town
Mine lot was sorrow to repine
Till Lucy promised to be mine

SONG

[I would not feign a single sigh]

1

I would not feign a single sigh
Nor weep a single tear for thee
The soul within these orbs burns dry
A desert spreads where love should be

704

I would not be a worm to crawl
A wreathing suppliant in thy way
For love is life, is heaven and all
The beams of an immortal day

2

For sighs are idle things, and vain
And tears for idiots vainly fall
I would not kiss thy face again
Nor round thy shining slippers crawl
Love is the honey not the bee
Nor would I turn its sweets to gall
For all the beauty found in thee
Thy lily neck, rose cheek and all

3

I would not feign a single tale
Thy kindness or thy love to seek
Nor sigh for Jenny of the vale
Her ruby smile or rosy cheek
I would not have a pain to own
For those dark curls, and those bright eyes
A frowning lip, a heart of stone
False love and folly I despise

705

LITTLE TROTTY WAGTAIL

1

Little trotty wagtail he went in the rain
And tittering tottering sideways he near got straight again
He stooped to get a worm and look'd up to catch a fly
And then he flew away e're his feathers they were dry

2

Little trotty wagtail he waddled in the mud
And left his little foot marks trample where he would
He waddled in the water pudge and waggle went his tail
And chirrupt up his wings to dry upon the garden rail

3

Little trotty wagtail you nimble all about
And in the dimpling water pudge you waddle in and out
Your home is nigh at hand and in the warm pigsty
So little Master Wagtail I'll bid you a ‘Good bye’

Augst 9th/49

THE SWALLOW

1

Pretty Swallow once again
Come and pass me i' the rain
Pretty swallow why so shy
Pass again my window by

706

2

The horse pond where he dips his wings
The wet day prints it full o' rings
The rain drops on his [airy] track
Lodge like pearls upon his back

3

Then agen he dips his wing
In the wrinkles of the spring
Then o'er the rushes flies again
And pearls roll off his back like rain

4

Pretty little swallows fly
Village doors and windows by
Whisking o'er the garden pales
Where the blackbird finds the snails

5

Whewing by the ladslove tree
For something only seen by thee
Pearls that on the red rose hings
Falls off shaken by thy wings

6

On yon low that[c]hed cottage stop
In the sooty chimney pop
Where thy wife and family
Every evening wait for thee—

707

THE FOREST MAID

1

O once I loved a pretty girl and dearly love her still,
I courted her in happiness for two short years or more
And when I think of Lucy it turns my bosom chill
For the happiest of lifes happiness is faded and is o'er.
O fair was Lucy Littlechild and happy as the bee
And sweet was bonny Lucy as the song of forest bird
And the smile upon her red lips was very dear to me
And her tale of love the sweetest that my ear has ever heard

2

O the flower o' the forest was Lucy Littlechild
There's few could be so dear to me and none could be so fair
So many love the garden flowers I still esteem the wild
And Lucy of the forest is the fairest blossom there
She's fairer than the wild rose that blooms among the thorn
She's dearer to my eye than the bloom upon the brere
Her eye is brighter far than the bonny pearls o' morn
And the name of Lucy Littlechild to me is ever dear

3

O once I loved a pretty girl—the linnet in its mirth
Was never half so blest as I wi' Lucy Littlechild
The rose o' the creation and the pink o' all the earth
The flower o' all the forest and the best for being wild
O sweet are dews o' morning ere the autumn blows so chil[l]
And sweet are forest flowers i' the awthorns mossy shade
But nothing is so fair and nothing ever will
Bloom like the rosey cheek o' my bonny Forest Maid

708

BONNY LASSIE O

1

We'll ma' be meet no more bonny Lassie O,
For it mickle bodeth me
Now I'm going to cross the sea
That our courtship may be o'er
Bonny lassie O,
The burnie rinning clear
And the bonny fragrant brere
Tomorrow will be here
Bonny lassie O
But when I'm left the shore
I'll may be meet no more
The maid I most adore
And that is none but thee Bonny Lassie O.

2

There's a tear upon thy e'e bonny Lassie O.
But if I be the cause
I maun obey the laws
And force my sen to sea bonny Lassie O
Here's the burnie will be here
And rinning just as clear
As now both are standing here bonny Lassie O
But when the worst is past
And the die o' hope is cast
And I've look'd on thee the last
Wilt thou shed a tear for me bonny lassie O—

3

I can but say I may bonny Laddie O
But can thou see them fa'
On this heather bloom sa' sma'
When thou art on the sea Bonny laddie O—

709

I canna' say I may
But I'll sorely rue the day
And wish the worst away Bonny lassie O
If my lassie true remain
Then I care na' fo' the Main
But we'll surely meet again
And I'll kiss thee in these flowers Bonny lassie O.

OH COME TO ME AT EVEN!

O come to me i' the evening
And let us walk together
When talking is believing
And beautiful the weather
There's a siller bleb in the golden eye
O daisies by the thorn
On the wildings purest diamonds lie
The souls o' summer morn
But come to me i' the even Love
When the lark drops in the corn

O come to me at even dear
By the brambles arching shade
And hear the blackbird singing near
And be my own dear maid

710

O let me clasp thee round the waist
In evenings dewy air
And when so tenderly embraced
Confess my passion there

Confess the passion of Mans love
In evenings dewy air
And kiss thee 'neath the heavens above
A maid surpassing fair
The birds gone bed on bush and tree
Where leaves keep off the dew
So come my angel love to me
We'll kiss and love so true

I'll kiss thy neck so snowy white
Thy lips so dear to me
While the round moon with increasing light
Mounts up behind the tree
The dew lies on the woodbine flower
And on the wild rose too
Then in the spreading white thorn bower
I'll aye be kissing you

HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS

How beautiful it is to be
Left in the fields at Eve
When blackbirds perch upon the tree
And whistle till they leave

711

To seek their nests o' moss and grass
In white thorn hedges there
And then to meet the milking lass
So bonny and so fair

How beautiful it is at Eve
To walk the green woodside
The labours o' the day to leave
And in green fields abide
The thrush sits on her eggs o' blue
Hid by the blooming brier
And Jenny Wren hides from the dew
In furze bush blooming near

How beautiful it is to leave
The paths o' sultry day
At dewy fall o' quiet Eve
Through coppices to stray
Where cat-tail grass nodds o'er the path
And rabbits come to feed
Benighted bee clings to the swarth
And grasshoppers to the weed

How beautiful at close o' day
To wander where we will
To view the white thorn hung wi' may
And Moonlight i' the rill
And where the hedge the journey stops
The Moon hangs dripping o'er
And in the pastures rushes drop[s]
Till it is seen no more

712

MY SWEET LUCY GREY

The pretty flowers were springing
In fields and meadows green
The little birds were singing
Where winter floods had been
Where I went to see my true love
Along the meadow way
Neath the willow rows and dew love
A courting Lucy Grey

A bonny hat of finest straw
And ribbons black and blue
Her lips the bright and glossy haw
Her cheeks the roses dipt in dew
O she was fair as ony thing
And beautiful as gay
Blythe as a bonny morn o' spring
Was my sweet Lucy Grey

O we loved and walked together
Both at the night time and the day
And my foot was in loves tether
When young Lucy went away
That morning when she parted
I scarce knew what to say
And I felt half broken hearted
For the loss of Lucy Grey

713

MY OWN SWEET SALLY GEE

O' I love the young and english Rose
That grows upon the hedge row brier
It seems the fairest flower that blows
And still reminds me O my dear
It reminds me O' her bonny brow
When she spoke her mind to me
Her cheeks were red her bosom snow
And I loved my Sally Gee

The winds took pleasure o'er the grass
And in the flowers to dally
And sweet the feet O' my fair lass
There's none like pretty Sally
Green Linnets sung on the white thorn
And black caps on the willow tree
But the sweetest thing O' night or morn
Is my own sweet Sally Gee

O Sally Gee is beautiful
And Sally Gee is fair
Her cheeks are roses which we cull
In mornings dewy air
Her bosom is as white as snow
And whiter it may be
And the sweetest and dear rose below
Is my own sweet Sally Gee

714

SWEET MARY O' THE PLOUGH

The latter end of Autumn
When the trees were turning yellow
When the garden flowers were dead and gone
And all the fruit were mellow
When ponds and rivers were cram'ful
Wi' sudden showers O' rain
I went to see my true love
O'er the dirty roads again
O'er moors and mosses Slups and sloughs
I went to see her many miles
The hips were scarlet awes were red
And beautiful were Mary's smiles
That lonely house beside the road
I can't imagine how
But I'm always sad when I pass bye
Sweet Mary O' the plough

In early youth when love was sweet
So sweet no words can tell
I went far off a courting
A maiden I loved well
The woods were faded every where
And leaves began to drop
The Squirrels sputtering up the tree
And acorns from the top
Fell pattering on the dirty ground
And bursted from their cups
For which the school Boy running bye
Full very often stoops
Love urged me on my journey

715

Beneath each fadeing bough
That autumn morn I went to see
Sweet Mary of the Plough

The autumn it is pleasant
Though fadeing fast away
When the lover goes a courting
Upon an autumn day
The falling leaves they littered
Every bit o' greensward ground
And fell about my foot steps
Wi' many a pleasing sound
The old crows quawked for men had cut
Among the oak wood trees
While many coloured sort o' leaves
Came wailing on the breeze
The wind blew up the clouds
And I felt I knew not how
When I went to see my sweetheart
Sweet Mary of the Plough

BANTRY BAY

On the eighteenth of October
We lay in Bantry Bay
All ready to set sail
With a fresh and steady gale
A fortnight and nine days
We in the harbour lay
And no breeze e'r reached us
Or strained a single sail

716

Three ships of war had we
And the great guns loaded all
But our ships were dead and beaten
That had never feared a foe
The wind becalmed around us
Car'd for no cannon ball
They locked us in the harbour
And would not let us go

On the nineteenth of October
By eleven of the clock
The sky turned black as midnight
And a sudden storm came on
Awful and sudden
And the cables felt the shock
Our anchors they all broke away
And every stay was gone
The guns fired off amid the strife
But little hope had we
The billows broke above the ship
And left us all below
The crew with one consent cried
Bear further out to sea
But the waves obeyed no sailors call
And we knew not where to go

She foundered on a rock
While we clambered up the shrouds
And staggered like a mountain drunk
Wedged in the waves almost
The red hot boiling billows
Foamed in the stooping clouds
And in that fatal tempest
The whole ships crew were lost
Have pitty for poor Mariners
Ye landsmen in a storm
O' think what they endure at sea

717

While safe at home you stay
All ye that sleep on beds at night
In houses dry and warm
O' think upon the whole ships crew
All lost at Bantry Bay

[T'was in the midst of June]

T'was in the midst of June
When the meadows they were green
When the hay was thronged wi' butterflys
From morning time till e'en
When swarms of bees were singing
All about the meadow flowers
And dew drops on the grass so green
Fell i' the morning hours
As thick as drops O' diamonds
As thick as showers O' pearl
I went across the meadow
Wi' my bonny Oundle Girl
I crossed with her the meadows
Right early i' the morn
When the crow sat on the willows
And the lark sung from the corn

Her face was fair and handsome
Her dress cornbottle blue
Her cheeks were like the meadow pink
That grows beside the lake
I clasped around her white neck
And I loved her leal and true
And a dog rose from
The wild briar I gathered
For her sake

718

The honey button burnet
Looked black above the grass
And the major meadow daisy's
Waved like the foaming surf
I wandered by the side O'
The bonny bosomed lass
Who lightly as an angel
Stept o'er the satin turf

The meadow it was beautiful
The hedges they were gay
And meadow flowers among the grass
Were loveliest in hue
As o'er the pleasant meadow land
Our love walk lay
Over clumps of lady fingers

MY LOVE IN DISHABILLE

T'was in the month of April when birds all merry sing
I took a walk to Kingsthorp right early i' the spring
I took a walk to Kingsthorp right early i' the day
And there I met my true love go barefoot by the way

Her ancles they were handsome and lovely was her feet
Her face was like an Irish girls and beautifully sweet
She passed me like a stranger I think I see her still
I could not tell my own true love in such a dissabille

719

Her eyes were like two diamonds and a woman all complete
I could have knelt on both my knees and kissed her very feet
I loved her where I passed and love her dearly still
But I could not tell my own true love in such a disabille

She passed me by in silence I passed her by the same
I could not tell her person I did not know her name
But her person I love dearly and I love her dearly still
Though I did not know my own true love in rags and disabille

AMONG THE GREEN BUSHES

Down among the green bushes I wander away
And leave the dull crowds and the City behind
In the white thorns and maples I spend the green day
And list to the sighs O' the soft passing wind
To the sighs of the wind and the whispering leaves
I think of my true love where ever I go

B'neath her gown bosom her two bubbies heaves
And the hue of her shoulders is whiter than snow
To kiss that white shoulder her handkerchief hides
I've oft longed to do so when e'en she passed bye
But when she got closer I could not abide
To turn to her bosom my own sheepish eye

Among the green bushes I wandered and found
The maid of my bosom the love o' my heart
By the strings O' her apron I clasped my arms round
And pressed her so closely as never to part
I kissed her dear cheek i' the raptures O' bliss
I pressed her sweet lips there was nothing so dear

720

Among the green bushes I wandered alone
But ne'er see my sweetheart the whole of the way
Her cheek like the rose was her heart but my own
How sweet in this green place to spend the whole day
Beneath the green bushes I stole the sweet kiss
And felt the soft pleasure for all the long year

PEGGY WAS A YOUNG THING

Peggy said good morning and I said good bye
When Farmers dib the corn in and Ladd'y's sow the rye
Young Peggy's face was common sense and I was rather shy
Where I met her i' the morning when Farmers sow the rye

Her half laced boots fit tightly as she tripped along the grass
And she set her foot so lightly where the early bee doth pass
O Peggy was a young thing her face was common sense
I courted her about the spring and loved her ever since

O Peggy was the young thing and bonny as to size
Her lips were cherries O' the spring and hazle were her eyes
O Peggy she was straight and tall as is the poplar tree
Smooth as the freestone O' the wall and very dear to me

O Peggy's gown was chocolate and full o cherries white
I keep a bit on't for her sake and love her day and night
I drest myself just like a Prince and Peggy went to woo
But she's been gone some ten years since and I knew not what to do

721

FAIR MARIA

T'was in the summer time O' swallows
That over hill and valley fly
The wild flowers decked both hills and hollows
And dappled was the summer sky
When I went out to meet Maria
One evening i' the month O' May
The Sun set like a ball of fire
And green earth's shadows round him lay

The meadow wild flowers red and blue
Were tipt with spangles i' the hay
And blebs like spittle dripping dew
Clung to their green stems all the day
We wandered by the rivers tide
All blue grey hung the evening cloud
We kissed and cuddled side by side
While the grasshoppers cherrupt loud

The water skeggs flowered o'er the stream
The flowering rush bloomed further in
Maria saw the golden gleam
That gilt the lilly's O' her skin
How sweet it smiled upon the flood
And on Maria's bosom pressed
The resting heifer chewed her cud
The crimson cloud stretched i' the west

O' fair and beautiful Maria
How warm thy kisses breathe on me
The setting sun a ball O' fire
Her beautious eyes of't turned to see

722

I kissed her on her red rose cheek
Her lips two rose buds hung wi' dew
Were my delight for many a week
Untill I bade the maid adieu

HOW CALM IS THE EVENING

How calm is the even down in the narrow lane
Where white thorn and woodbine and dog roses meet
How bright is the dew on the dog rose again
While the grey mist creeps over like the days winding sheet

O' beautiful the silver mist will hang on flowers
And pearl o'er the freckles O' the fox glove bell
How sweet is the stillness O' eventide hours
When in the green oak leaves Ring doves do dwell

To walk there with true love my sweet Mary Ann
And hide by the bonny wood side
In each others arms by the awthorn to stand
While the Moon in the heavens doth ride

While the clouds seem to sail and to race with the Moon
And Mary Ann gazes on high
Coal black is the cloud that envelopes it soon
Till the midnight O' darkness is bye

My dear Mary Ann wi' thy bonny brown hair
Thy red rosy cheeks and thy bosom so white
When the dew looks so sweet on the cobwebs there
I'll court her and kiss her the whole of the night

723

MY LOVE SHE IS A MODEST GIRL

My love she wore a muslin cap and trim[m]ed wi' ribbons blue
What time the trees were full o' sap and meadows cowslips new
In meadows and on meadow banks in baulks and clover too
The white horse daisy's stand in ranks all silvered wi' the dew

My love she wore a pleasant gown and owned a rosy face
The prettiest girl o' half the town the finest i' the place
Her waist was sweet and sweet her size fleshy and fair not tall
Bright as the milkmaids were her eyes her neck white as the wall

A muslin cap my love had on and trimmed wi' ribbons blue
When grass was green to look upon and steamed wi' morning dew
Her face was like the cabbage rose her bosom lilly white
Her lips are red her mild eye glows like even's dewy light

My love she is a modest girl a pleasant gown she wears
Her teeth are like two rows O' pearl and glossy brown her hair
I feel transported by her smile and by her frown undone
I'll meet her by the awthorn stile where both will seem as one

724

THE ROSE IN FULL BEARING

The rose in full bearing there is no other blossom
So sweet and so flushing as that bonny flower
It shines the delight O' the young maiden's bosom
It's ever the sweetest in summers warm hour

The beautiful rose tree how sweet its leaves blushes
With dew drops like silver pearls hung on its leaves
The sun light O' summer its bonny bloom flushes
How sweet is its blossom on midsummer eaves

T'is as sweet as the breath O' the midsum[m]er morning
Where bees o'er the hay fiels are singing all day
When dews like white diamonds its leaves are adorning
How sweet is the full blowing rose on the spray

The maiden she loves it the beautiful maiden
That goes i' the meadows a milking the kye
She sees the heath brere with its roses o'er laden
And puts a rose bud in her bosom for joy

MY LOVE SHE IS BONNY

My love she is bonny and sweeter than ony rose
A fairer and sweeter I never did see
Her cheeks the rose bloom and grecian her fine nose
And her eyes bright as dew drops upon the rose tree

725

The woodbines the hedge roses blooming
Not brighter and sweeter than Hellen can be
Her face is a fair one her eye is a rare one
As bright as the dew drops upon the rose tree

O' beautiful Hellen I pass by thy dwelling
Where lilly's and roses and streaky woodbine
O'er her windows are blooming in summers perfuming
And beautiful Hellen has sworn to be mine

FAREWELL TO THE CORNFIELD

Farewell to the cornfield and meadow so green
Farewell to the white thorn and willow and Jean
Farewell to the haunts O' her childhood and mine
Where green banks had peace and my Jean looked divine
W'ere parted and may be for ever we part
Still Jeanie shall be the choice girl of my heart
Farewell to the cornfield and meadow so green
Farewell to the white thorn and willow and Jean

The meadows will be just as green when I'm gone
To the eyes o' my Jean while my heart like a stone
Lies cold in my breast while the scene I survey
To think of to-morrow that bears me away
From all I once loved and am cherishing yet
The wild flowers O' summer wi' honey dews wet
The path o'er the meadows the style i' the lane
My Jeanie will see them and know them again

726

To the wide roaring ocean and fathomless brine
I wander my Jean where thou still may be mine
If thy heart it be true love mine still thou shalt be
Though I perish by shipwreck and drown i the Sea
So farewell green meadows and farewell my Jean
To the willow and thorn where together we've been
All lonely I go to the wide raving sea
But true love will bring me safe back unto thee

BONNY MARY O

The morning opens fine bonny Mary O
The Robin sings his song by the dairy O
While the little Jenny Wrens cock their tails among the hens
Singing morning happy songs with Mary O

The swallow on the wing bonny Mary O
Where the rushes fringe the spring bonny Mary O
Where the cowslips do unfold shaking tassels a' o' gold
Which makes the milk so sweet bonny Mary O

There wild thyme on mole hills bonny Mary O
Odorous sweets at morn distills bonny Mary O
And rest harrow like the pea blossom delighteth me
Stinking on the pasture lea bonny Mary O

There's the yellow-hammers nest bonny Mary O
Where she hides her golden breast bonny Mary O
On her mystic eggs she dwells with strange writing on their shells
Hid in the mossy grass bonny Mary O

727

There thy spotted Cow gets food bonny Mary O
And chews her peacefull cud bonny Mary O
I' the mole hills and the bushes and the mossed brook fringed wi rushes
To fill the e'enin pale bonny Mary O

I' the cow pond once again bonny Mary O
And [f]lyes dimple like the sand bonny Mary O
Where the gnat swarms fall and rise under evenings mellow skies
And on flags sleep dragon flies bonny Mary O

And I will meet [you] there bonny Mary O
When a milking you repair Bonny Mary O
And I'll kiss thee on the grass my buxsome bonny lass
And be thy ain for aye bonny Mary O

OH CARADORA

O Caradora bonny maid
I'll never have my will o thee
To speak thy name I'm half afraid
And why I have no eyes to see
I've felt thy love and bore the blame
Thy two rich eyes were life to me
But never can I see the shame
Or feel it sin in loving thee

728

Thy big bright eye thy happy smile
Is heaven and I know the place
No meaner joy can me beguile
While I am gazeing on thy face
How sweet her ancles and her legs
Her lips were coral streaked with light
Her neck was white as ring doves eggs
More white recedeing out of sight

O' Caradora lovely girl
May I be thine and If I may
I'll give thee chains o' gold and pearl
And pay thee worship night and day
I'll love thee sweet and bonny girl
And winna gie a chance away
Better than diamonds gold and pearl
And love thee ever and for aye

THERE'S NOTHING SO SWEET

There's nothing so sweet as the woodlands green and modest anemone a stooping
Where the blackbirds and thrushes a building are seen and the bells are modestly drooping
Isabella my dear could love bring thee here
A down the wood side would we wander all day mid blue bells and butterflies far far away

729

Then proud Isabella there's nothing so fair like roses her cheek is her neck lilly's drooping
In roses and lilly's there's nough[t] to compare not blue bell nor 'nem once stooping
My dear Isabella in luscious delight
We'll gather wood blossoms from morning till night

We'll walk side by side a down the wood ride like the bird in their mossy nestle and love
We'll crop the wood 'nemonie just in its pride and listen the morning songs o' the ring dove
And then Isabella beneath the oak tree
We'll sit on a mossy seat thee love and me

MY LOVE SHE'S BONNY

My love she's bonny hale and young
But O' she's got a saucey tongue
She'll frown and jeer for a the year
And winna listen to a song

My love she's hale and bonny too
Wi' gay straw hat and ribbons blue
Wi' gown O' green and saucey e'en
And lips that part as saucey too

My love is scarcely in her teens
She's five years wanting sweet sixteen
A lovely girl wi' teeth O' pearl
But no' so kind she might ha' been

730

She wants three month O' seventeen
The maiden in her gown O' green
And yet her size wears womans eyes
The prettiest woman ever seen

She'll kiss and toy behind the screen
The prettiest Maiden ever seen
Wi' apron on she'll talk wi John
A bonny maid o' seventeen

FAREWELL

Farewell to the bushy clump Close to the river
And the flags where the butter bump hides in for ever
Farewell to the weedy nook Hemmed in by waters
Farewell to the millers brook And his three bonny daughters
Farewell to them a' While in prison I lye
In the prison O thrall Seeing nought but the sky

Shut out are the green fields And birds i' the bushes
I' the prison yard nothing builds
Black birds or thrushes
Farewell to the old Mill And dash O the waters
To the Miller And dearer still
To his three bonny daughters

I' the neak the large burdock Grows near the green willow
I' the flood round the moorcock Dashes under the billow

731

To the old Mill farewell
To the lock pens and water
To the Miller himself
And his three bonny daughters

THE EVENING COMES

The evening comes the evening goes high mounts the evening star
And on the heath the black cock crows the crows return from far
On heath and meadow I sojourn the warm sun bids good bye
I wait my lassie's glad return in fetching O the kye

On bramble brere the dew bleb dips as bright as siller gems
And moisters green grasshoppers lips on clover's hairy stems
I lye upon the grassy knoll where bents and blossoms lye
And see my lassie's mountain stroll in fetching up the kye

The muircock whinies to its nest The partridge seeks the corn
The plover wi' its snow white breast Screems loudly e'en and morn
I lye agen the bramble bush A light step fans the pliant rush
The lass wha' seeks the kye

How peaceful lies yon mountain cloud How sweet grey mist the valley shroud
The red across the blue and small flowers blebed wi' dew
O bonny is her rosy cheek and bright her beaming eye
The bonny lass that a the week comes out to fetch the kye

732

Her hair is like the thunder clouds Aboon Benlomons brow
Her voice is sweet her gait not proud She charms I can't tell how
When glass the broad lakes lie I kiss her in the bracken green
When coming for the kye

WHEN I MEET A BONNY LASSIE

When I meet a bonny lassie My heart burns in my breast
And a little further passes She robs me of all rest
I think of her all night and I think of her all day
Whom my path met in delight Among the meadow hay

The downy bents all talk it That pat agen my hose
And the bees they winna balk it That a honey hunting goes
They sing it on the blossom They sing it in the grass
How my heart fled from my bosom When I met the blushing lass

I met her in a pleasant place Mong burnet buttons many
She had a round and rosey face And seemed more sweet than any
My heart seemed burnt to crall at all, My heart turned icy pale
And graceful bowed the feathered reed And swept the southern gale

733

I met her in the narrow path No room for two to pass
The butterfly it pleasures hath To fly about the grass
I could not fly but lightly pressed scarce treading in the hay
A look upon her gown I cast which stole my vacant eyes away

When I met the bonny lassie My heart burnt through my breast
And passed her in the king-cups brassy I lost both thought and rest
I think upon her half the day And all the live long night
The cockle and the rye looks gay But I'm a wretched wite

I MET A PLEASANT MAIDEN

On the seventeenth of April I' the good year forty nine
I met a pleasant maiden And I wished the maid was mine
She'd cowslips in her basket She'd sweet briar in her hand
Her love I would have ask'd But she would not understand

I touched her gown in passing And she looked in strange surprise
The meadow pool spread glassing In the beautiful sunrise
Her shall was of the flags so green Her gown was brown and red
Her stockings white as snow was seen And lightsome was her tread

734

The linnet chirrupt in the thorn the lark sung in the sky
And bonny was the sunny morn And every road was dry
I took [her] by the waist so [small] All in a pleasant place
She no denial made at all But smiled upon my face

I cuddled her in the green grass And sat among the hay
Till sunshine o'er the hill did pass And day light went away
I kissed [her] o'er her bonny face So tender and so true
And left my blessing on the place Among the foggy dew

I MAYBE CANNA SING

I may be canna sing But I mun up, and try a verse or two
For a bonny lass has wandered bye Wi' eyes as bright as morning dew
Wi' bosom white as lammies wool Whi' cheeks as red as rose brere
Could I that rosey kiss obtain I'd get my hearts own wishes here

The bramble bush is a in flower The linnet busy with her young
Leading them in the white thorn bower Where lone hedge sparrows loudly sung
A bonny maiden in her prime As ever eyes did wish to see
Ann Bodenham queen of rural rhyme That dwells beside the river Lea

In brown silk gown she passed me bye As bonny as the blooms O May
I felt as I was like to die And sighed but had no word to say

735

Her voice was just as music speaks Her lips were rubies wet wi' dew
I thought of her for many weeks And loved her tenderly and true

Ann Bodenham on the river Lea, To me seemed all the world in one
My heart on fire appeared to be Then turned to ice when she was gone
I loved her dear throughout the year Where she was not no peace could be
She was my own my only dear Ann B[o]denham on the River Lea

BEAUTIFUL MARIA

The setting sun it gilds wi' gold And village windows blazes now
While beauty's o' the finest mould Walk the green hills grassy brow
The bramble bends wi' drops O' pearl The silver daisy's turn to green
And beautifull the lovely girl That on those lone[l]y hills was seen

Maria beautifull Maria The hum[m]ing bee the glossy fly
From sun set to their homes retire And leave thee to thy evening joy
Beaded wi' dew the zephers wing Blows coolly on thy neck so fair
Perked up thy wild flower blossoms spring And join wi thee the cooler air

736

The jiant canterberry bell The sultan with its husky flowers
Close by her evening rambles dwell Rich wi' the evenings dewey hours
My loved and beautifull Maria What happiness the boon would gie
Close by thy side at days retire Might I thy loved companion be

'TIS NOW THE HIGHT O' SUMMER

Tis now the height o summer And where so e'er I turn my eyes
The woods do nought but murmer And the hedge rows swarm wi' flies
On dry banks the whasps are busy Wi' yellow jackets and sharp stings
Summer's a secret dirty hussy And nothing like primrosey spring

Then leaf strewn woods are greenest And full of wild primroses
The calm green air serenest On moss nests the Bird reposes
Then by the spinny rails The violet smells so sweet
Loading with perfumes all the gales And wild bees yellow feet

Hot summer is a dirty hussey Swarming o'er wi' wasps and flies
That by wood sides are ever busy Wi' their burning melodies

737

Give me the spring wi' foot paths clean The finches nest and budding tree
The primrose in its leaves so green And 'neath white thorn I'll happy be

HOW BEAUTIFUL THE MORNING

How beautifull the morning blue And light o' nearly grey
Each herb and flower is wet wi' dew Where toil begins the day
The crimson curtains o' the sky Already turns to dun
And burning over herds o' kye The skylark hails the sun

A ball O' fire he blazes high Till bulgeing clouds succeeds
The coal black snails that fire to fry Now creep beneath the weeds
The blue black mountain clears away And levels into dun
And peering in the pearl blue day High mounts the firey sun

The sun soon mounts the midway sky The sudden shower comes on
On blade and flower the pearl drops lye A sun in every one
O'er mountain top it goes to bed In crimson gold and dun
And tips with fire the mountains head The firey setting sun

738

MANY DEAR THINGS

There's mony dear things i' the land we live in To make us more happy then other folks are
There's bonny wee Bessy the pride O her kin Her cheeks are sae red and her bosom so fair
O' bonny wee Bessy to cuddle and bless thee And i' arm for caress thee
How sweet wud it be in the warm summer air

To kiss bonny Bessy that sweet bonny lass Wi' my arm round her shoulder my lips on her chin
While sitting beside her O' dear what a puther my heart it was in
O' bonny wee Bessy A arm for caress thee
Among the sweet hay grass How dear has it bin

The morning is lovely my sweet bonny maid On the side O the mountain how blooms the wild brere
As sweet as young Bessy it grows i the shade Where for stealing my heart O' I kissed her so dear
The bonny young Bessey not showey or dressy Mid' a blush 'neath her tresses
Cry'd ‘for shame’ as she cropped off a rose from the brere

739

THE GARDENERS BONNY DAUGHTER

The chaffinch in the hedge row sings In the brown naked thorn
And by its tail the titmouse hings Searching the buds at morn
And I'll wish dirty roads away And meadows flooded water
And court before I end the day The gardeners bonny daughter

She's sweeter than the first o' spring More fair than Christmas roses
When robins by the hovel sing Sweet smiles the maid discloses
Her hair so brown her eye so bright As clear as the spring water
I'll go and have a word tonight With the gardeners bonny daughter

Her cheeks are like the coloured rose A kiss would surely burn ye
Her lips are gems more red than those For love I'll go the journey
And when the white thorn comes in leaf And the chaffinch lays her lauter
I walk where singing birds are brief Wi' the gardeners bonny daughter

I passed the gardeners house one night My heart burnt to a cynder
When I saw her face and eyes so bright A looking through the window
And when I'd passed the house agen I'd been pounded in a mortar
But she looked and smiled upon me then So I love the gardeners bonny daughter

740

WILL YOU EVER LOVE ME DEAREST?

And will you ever love me dearest Yes by the heavens above thee
By soul breathed sighs and love sincerest I will for ever love thee
Love words will burn before they're spoken Heart thoughts no tongue can tell
The heart will bleed before its broken And I love Hellen well

As o'er the pebbles flows the water Gilt by the glittering beam
I love thee as earths fairest daughter In many a happy dream
I saw thee in each rushy hollow When rushes arched in dew
And then pursued thee like a swallow Far under heavens blue

And I will ever love thee dearest Now and for ever love thee
The brook below thy feet runs clearest The sun shines bright above thee
I'll kiss thee on thy lips one kiss That never could reprove me
And vow before I give thee this I will for ever love thee

WHEN THE SHEEP ARE IN THE PEN

When the sheep are in the pen And the cows are in the shed
When the pigs are fed agen And a' the fowls gane bed
Then I gang to meet my laddie at the stackyard gate
I scarce can tie my hat on laddie For I'm loath to make him wait

741

Then I gang to meet my laddie At the mossy stackyard gate
I tie my bonnet hasty on 'cause I winna make him wait
Though my boots be all untied The time is getting late
And to stop I canna bide 'Cause I winna make him wait

Now the kyes cum hame And the sheep are in the pen
And frae the hives straw warm They've taen the comb agen
I will gang and seek my laddie T'were a sin to make him wait
And he'll cuddle me among the straw At the stackyard gate

LOVELY ALICE GREY

Of all the maids in scottish land Or lands ayont the sea
Had I the world at my command The world to her I'd gie
I think upon her all the night And all the summers day
My anxious days my whole delight Is lovely Alice Grey

The linnet in the awthorn shade Sings music all the day
And a conspire to cheer the maid Wi' waters roundelay
I play the tunes to please myself And love her while I play
And think she likes my songs as well The lovely Alice Grey

She's fairer than the mountain flowers More bright than peep o' day
She's sweeter than the e'eing hours when day light goes away
There's naething like her sees the light Nought seen by night or day
That's half so beautiful and bright As lovely Alice Grey

742

I see her in the morning sky Just at the break of day
When happy fancies fill my eye Wi' visions fair and gay
She's mair to me than all beside The summer fades away
But every green in beauty's pride Is handsome Alice Grey

THE EVENING IS FOR LOVE

The evening is for love As the morning is for toil
Though the fire is from above The pot is got to boil
A hard days work is mine And I'll live wi' care no more
So I'll see dew come to the woodbine at Isabella's door

Wi' hairy leaves and dro[o]ping flowers The canterberry bell
Grows underneath [the] hazle bower By most folks favoured well
Up the bean stalks creeps the snail The moth sleeps down below
The grey mist creep[s] along And I'll a courting go

I'll gang and Isabella see Nor more i' love repine
By her yard gates the elder tree By her door the streaked woodbine
And red pink bunches on the bed And pansies blue and yellow
The west is gloweing gold and red And I'll gang to Isabella

743

I'll court her a' the lee lang night And to-morrow being Sunday
I'll rap her in my hearts delight And uggle her till Monday
Her bosom is so fair and white she never had a fellow
I'll gang and stay till broad day light Wi my handsome Isabella

I'LL GANG AND SEE JESSY AGAIN

When daylight is bidding bye And the green oats feel clammy to touch
True love gies a sweet o' the joy I care not but little or much
When the sun hides behind the grey willows And the green woods turn black i' the glen
When beauty goes sleep on her pillows I'll gang and see Bessey agen

The grey mist creeps o'er the valley The hue o' the grey willow row
The brook in its speed seems to dally And black is the bark o' the sloe
There's calmness below and above me The lovers star shines i' the glen
There's one in my eye that might love me So I'll go and see Bessie agen

744

There's love i' the calm o' the bushes The rush bed the leveret has prest
On their nests sit the blackbirds and thrushes The fire cloud streaks red i' the West
I' the oak by the road roosts the blue dove The moon mounts o'er woods i' the glen
I clap the gate ‘come to your true love’ And there I'll kiss Bessie agen

[The winter winnowed chill And fast came down the snow]

The winter winnowed chill And fast came down the snow
T'was white on every hill In rucks the drift did blow
When a bonny Irish maiden
Came barefoot throug[h] the Snow

HER LOVE IS ALL TO ME

O' cold is the winter day And iron is the ground
And winters snow has found his way For fifty miles around
I turn a look to every way And nothing to be seen
The frozen clouds shuts out the day And snow hide[s] all the green

745

The hedges all of leaves are bare my heart beats cold & chill
O' once I loved a pretty girl and love her dearly still
Though love is but a frozen pearl as you may plainly see
My lovely girl is handsome as any maid can be

Freeze on the bitter biteing sky Snows shade the naked tree
All desolate alone am I Yet I'll love none but thee
No tears I shed my love to show To freeze before they fall
No sighs I send along the snow But she's my all in all

The footpath leaves the ruts and carts O'er furrow and o'er rig
And my love lives at the ‘White hart’ a stone throw from the brig
She's like a ballad sung in tune And deep in love to be
Her face is like the rose in June And her love is all to me

MY BONNY JANE

The cows are from the pasture gone The sheep are bleating in the pen
The path they travelled one by one Is o'er the fallows beat agen

746

The sparrow chelps along the eaves The whasp hums in the window pane
And I'll of labour take my leave And gang and court young bonny Jane

The plums are misted o'er wi' dew And rosey streaks the apples wear
But Jinney's cheeks a sweeter hue Than either apple plumb or pear
The sun sinks o'er the willows grey And clammy got the fields o' grain
And at her own home ends that day I kissed the lips O bonny Jane

Her dark [hair] hangs in parted curl Aside her forehead white as snow
She seemed a maid [of] other worlds Too fair for any thing below
We stood beside the turnpike way Such meetings seldom come again
That piece of animated clay I clasped and kissed young bonny Jane

The mallow looked like satin flowers Cut by some fond and fairy queen
The nettle fit for garden bowers Did no where look so richly green

They cant' be common nettles sure I said and stooped to look again
But love stood there blind eyes to cure My ain sweet fairy bonny Jane

747

The bee resumed its honey tone around And searched the alloes bloom
The windows too were open thrown For buzing whasps to leave the room
Her hair was lappit in a comb Then twisted glossy round again
That sweet white bosome was loves home O my ain dear bonny Jane

The hens had clockit up to bed The chicks where yet within the pen
The sparrows from the wheatfields sped To Jinney's mossy eaves agen
O' Jinney is the bonny flower The severest parting pain
Wi' many a vow and promise fair I kissed and left my bonny Jane

The sun set red the weary crow Flew homeward to the woods agen
The willows grey waved too and fro And dews fell like a misty rain
She threw her kerchief o'er her hair Her fond kiss cured the parting pain
Wi' many a vow and promise fair I kissed and left my bonny Jane

748

THE MILKING O' THE KYE

The wagtail flies about wi' her snow white throat And the robin sings at even by the old pig stye
By the time the pigeons are all in the caute And Peggy up the homestead is bringing up the kye
The little merry bluecap pops i' the old barn wall And the old crow on her nest in the old pollard tree
The swallow swithers past and the cuckoo gies a call When I stand by Peggy milking and none kens me

O' Peggy[s] like an angel wi' out a wing to flee
And Peggy's like a young thing and her feet are very small
Peggy's got a small hand [and] fairer will she be
When she gets a twelvemonth older she'll fairly beat them all
As fair as the oak apples upon the pollard tree
Is Peggy's cheek and chin and bright her hazle eye
Where the wren has built her nest Eve's star is oe'r the shed
I gang to love young Peggy at the milking o' the kye

The robin sings his song on the old rig tree
The wren he bears him company upon the bonny brere
They are two little birds as happy as can be
And they come and sing o' Sundays the whole of the year
They come and sing o' Sundays to Peggy and to me
And the robin drops him down wi' his coal black eye
A pretty perk bird Peggy dearly loved to see
And litters him some crumbs at the milking o the kye

O' its happiness to feel in a bumbarrel's nest
And to look on the hedgesparrows eggs pearl blue
And its more than pleasant when the sun is in the west
A walking out wi' Peggy the grass before the dew

749

To kiss her bonny cheek and her lilly neck to clasp
And look for little babys in the sparkling of her eye
From her proud sunday bonnet to drive away the whasp
And stand behind and kiss her at the milking o the kye

I MET HER IN THE GLOAMING

Twas at the hours o evening when low descends the dew
When the ring dove seeks the pollard oak and lays a stick or two
And lays her two white eggs aye whiter than the snow
And feeds her young i' golden down from the green peafield below
It was a pleasant evening and the brook in silver moans
Sang its evening song under grass and over stones
Among the pasture whins I will seek for Sally now
Where hangs the red cheeked apple upon the oak tree bough

I'll meet her when the western cloud burns crimson i' the sky
And leaves her mop agen the door and gangs to meet the kye
When the bramble hangs on drops by the old lane side
And the' evening star is shineing o'er the black woods far and wide
When the daisy turns a bud and the lark is on her nest
When the babe is in the cradle or on the Mothers breast
I bide me i' the gloaming and down the green path hie
And meet my bonny sweetheart at the milking o' the kye

750

I met her in the gloaming it was but Sunday e'en
Blue ribbons on her white straw hat her bonny gown was green
I kissed her bonny cheek and chin and nipped her rosy arms
Frae milking to the gloaming I feasted on her charms
And now where fin weeds are in flower and the wild thyme scents the plain
I'll gang to night to Sally and [kiss] her o'er again
The moth is on the keksies on the teazle sleep[s] the Flye
And I'll gang the dewy e'ening where Sally milks the kye

COME NANNY DEAR NEAR ME

Come Nanny lie near me Thy talk it will cheer me
I'm o'er happy to hear thee Talk close to my side
I'm weary and lonely and want but thee only
To cheer and console me my loved one and bride

Leaves fade and blossoms die Autums bleak winds and muddy sky
All in disorder lie severed from thee
The roses to hips are gone The poppy seeds every one
Come wi' straw bonnet on dearest to me

751

The hedges are hips and awes Mead and field bents and straws
Love true to natures laws Wanders for thine
On furze heath and common baulk side by side we there can walk
View the changed scene and talk Thinking thou'rt mine

Now the weeks nearly done Scarce have we seen the sun
Trees bare and leaves gone Nanny my dear
Wi' blackbirds and thrushes love Lone hid in furze bushes love
Where the spring water gushes love Come and walk here

The rosey hip blushes love Turning red all the bushes love
And wild the wind rushes love I' the lanes and the street
And sweet it be love for you love and me love
The meadows to see love where the wild waters meet

BONNY LASSIE O!

O the evenings for the fair bonny Lassie O
To meet the cooler air And walk an angel there
With the dark dishevell'd hair
Bonny Lassie O

The blooms on the brere bonny Lassie O
Oak apples on the tree And will thou gang to see
The shed made for thee
Bonny Lassie O

752

T'is agen the run[n]ing brook bonny Lassie O
In a grassy neuk hard bye Wi' a little patch O sky
And a bush to keep us dry
Bonny Lassie O

There's the daisy all the year bonny Lassie O
There's the kingcup bright as gold And the speedwell never cold
And the arum leaves unrolled
Bonny Lassie O

O meet me at the shed bonny Lassie O
Wi the woodbine peeping in and the rosey like thy shin
Blushing thy praise to win
Bonny Lassie O

I will meet there there at e'en bonny Lassie O
When the bee sips in the bean And grey willow branches lean
And the moon beam looks between
Bonny Lassie O

CAN I FORGET THOSE LARGE BLUE EYES

Can I forget those large blue eyes That lightens on me yet
Those ruby lips unknown to sighs I never can forget
The day that makes the chimeing bells I never more forget
The hedge row ash the story tells The place where first we met

753

O' Sally cans't thou think of me While nature round thee lies
Here where we met I ever see Thy large and bright blue eyes
I worship thee in many rhymes Where that place I see
I kiss that face a thousand times In fancy's fond and free

O Sally Mason lovely girl The cowslips on the leas
The ash tree in the hedge new laid All full of glossy keys
O Sally Mason lovely girl Here by the road wood side
Thy eyes Shone bright As strings O' pearl When I chose thee for my bride

O' Sally Mason lovely girl Thy love is all to me
Every flower I set my face on is nought compared to thee
Here I press thy snow bosom And neck more white than snow
Sally's a flower near out O' blossom The sweetest in the world below

THE EVENING WAS WET

The evening was wet and the twilight was cold
And loud were the bleat O the sheep frae the fold
When up cam a sodgerman younger than auld
His face war' red his jacket blue
Wi' red cuffs and collar he sat himself down
He looked in my face and he fired out a rown'
Up lassie and bring me a quart o' the brown
And I did the order fu' time

754

He drank to me the weary chiel
I liked his manners wonder weel
And though my heart had bin o steal
He made it soft I trow
He drank agen but what to me
He paid for all he had ye see
But still his soldier courtesey
It made me feel so so

I see him turn his head about
By the auld armchair I made him out
Mither says I wi' out a doubt
There's our own Jammie here
She hurried in and left her work
And in the place she speered a mark
My ain dear boy and then the clerk
Cam in the tale to hear

But Jammie would not seen him s'en
Both looked and Jammie drew agen
He said he wa'rnt o' scottish men
But gazed on Jammies eyes
My dear what colour was the cow
When Jammie left his feythers plough
And sure enough its Jemmie now
The mother looked surprize

Right fuddled got the clerk and he
Wi whiskey strang and barley bree
Baith got as drunk as fell dere
And sang oud sangs tegether

755

My Willies coat was blue and red
That night he had my maiden head
Beneath the eldern bye the shed
And now were in loves tether

THE RED ROBIN

Cock Robin he got a neat tippet at spring
And he sat in a shed and heard other birds sing
And he whistled a ballad as loud as he could
And built him a nest of oak leaves by the wood

And furnished it just as the celadine pressed
Like a bright burning blaze by the edge o' its nest
All glittering with sunshine and beautiful rays
Like high polished brass or the fire in a blaze

Then sung a new song on the bend o' the brere
And so it kept singing the whole of the year
Till cowslips and wild roses blossomed and died
The red Robin sung by the old spring side

756

THE SNOWDEN MAID

The autumn is come and the fields are a ble[a] The spring is severe the tempest sharp
And hail stones rattle i' the gale And I will wreath[e] around my harp
The violet and the primrose pale The bonny snowden maid to hail
The day's scarce fit to go abroad in yet will I sing and never fail
The young and bonny maid O' snowden

She wears in her raven hair They're shaded in her bonny eye
The primrose is her kerchief fair Her gown's the colour O the sky
Her breasts two mountains are O snow Her neck's the lammies wool to shade
Her teeth are pearls and all arow O' bonny is the Snowden maid

O bonny bonny Snowden maid Thy home beneath the mountain sky
A par[a]dise is daily made Because thy bonny self is bye
The top it seems to kiss the sky O what a scene to go abroad on
How happy could I feast my eye Beside the bonny maid of Snowden

757

THE SHIP CHARLOTTE

Our good ship the Charlotte for battle was bound
Her guns were well mounted her timbers were sound
Our crew were as gallant as sailors could be
When our new ship the Charlotte was sent out to sea
Her cannons three hundred all mounted [and] man'd
The best ship of war that the navy e're planned
To North Carolina was bound for a trip
This brave lot of Tars and this beautiful Ship

Tho' high as a castle in motion as brave
She danced like a bird on the swell of the wave
And all her brave crew in tracking her foes
Looked for smoak as a hound tracks fox by the nose
Her journey was bound o'er the ocean afar
And rigged out for battle a bold man O' war
Her deck was strong timbered her seamen were brave
When the new Royal Charlotte's wake furrowed the wave

She opened her guns when we hailed her on shore
And the banks of the sea was their bulwarks no more
They were plowed by her guns till as low as the land
Where America's army for battle did stand
When they shyed from our guns we soon drag'd them ashore
And gave them a cheering with one volley more
Till the balls fell so thick that away they did run
And struck their land flag to the new Charlott's gun

758

Here's a health to brave Charlotte the queen of the deep
In the dews of the morning we left them to weep
We hoisted her colours and sailed away back
And Freedom's sun spangled the waves on our track
Gave rest to the night and delight to the day
While grog, songs, and music made shorter the way
Here's a health to the Charlotte we'll drink it again
For the sea is her Empire and long may she reign

THE WINDS BLOW SOFTLY

The winds blow softly strong And the trees are tossed about
And we scarce can hear the Song or sound the lark is pipeing out
In the sky above the wind Where we hear them not so loud
I' the roar and thunder joined And the ever racing cloud

The bushes toss like waves And the woods like thunder roar
Wi' their green and yawning graves To the pastures rushy shore
Yet it passes like a lover I' the summer's warm embrace
As soft while passing over As loves kisses on the face

How fresh it makes the maiden how soft her drapery swims
Her cheeks wi' rosey's laden How round her lovely limbs
It lays her ancles bare and wins a thousand ways
What swelling calves are there Which the courting wind betrays

759

How soft it waves the willows How smooth it bows the grass
Green undulating billows And flowers like bits O' glass
Her neckerchief flap[s] up And bares her shoulder white
The daiseys where the lambs heaks up Is nothing ne'er so bright

THEE I LOVE BONNY LASSIE O

Thee I love and ever will bonny Lassie O
Let us gang up maple hill bonny Lassie O
While the thrush is singing there And the oakwood darken fair
Hasten and meet me there bonny Lassie O

Corn bottles more than blue bonny Lassie O
And corn poppies scarlet hue bonny Lassie O
And the rose and the wild brere Crowds wi' blooms and summer here
So gang up maple hill bonny Lassie O

Sky larks are in the air bonny Lassie O
The brook rins o'er pebbles fair bonny Lassie O
On its banks we'll love so chaste Wi' my arms about thy waist
So come up maple hill bonny Lassie O

When the blackbird's on her nest bonny Lassie O
Wi the morn dew on her breast bonny Lassie O
Come a milking by the hills And we'll [sit] and love our fill
By the rutty rifted road bonny Lassie O

760

By the bonny white thorn bush bonny Lassie O
Where hides the linnet and the thrush bonny Lassie O
When the mist is on the Pea I will sit and uggle thee
Wi' my arms about thy neck bonny Lassie O

HOUSE OR WINDOW FLIES

These little indoor dwellers in cottages

These little indoor dwellers in cottages and halls, were always entertaining to me, after dancing in the window all day from sunrise to sun-set they would sip of the tea, drink of the beer, and eat of the sugar, and be welcome all summer long, they look like things of mind or fairries, and seemed pleased or dull as the weather permits in many clean cottages, and genteel houses, they are allowed every liberty to creep, fly, or do as they like, and seldom or ever do wrong, in fact they are the small or dwarfish portion of our own family, and so many fairy familiars that we know and treat as one of ourselves

[The upward look and ever anxious eye]

The upward look and ever anxious eye
Sees love and pleasure in the cool grey sky
And every comfort waiting when we die

761

OH! BEAUTIFUL THE WIND COMES

O beautiful the wind comes And shakes the pleasant woodbines
And pleasantly the bee hums And beautiful the sun shine[s]
And beautiful it is to sit Among sheep and kye
To see the birds and shadows flit And milkmaid tripping by

O its a pleasing sight to see E're evening brings the dew
The stretching lambs get up and flee To suck the bleating ewe
O its a pleasant thing to see't When evening brings the dew
To hear the sound of womans feet That's coming to meet you

The breeze just shakes the leaves Then shivers in the grass
And i' the bushes heaves Where I meet the bonny Lass
All nature seems akin To love the balmy air
The falling of a pin Might be heard while standing there

I' the chimney pops the swallow And the martin near the eaves
While the chirping sparrows follow And the wheat clad valley leaves
Gone bed too are the breezes At rest the willow grove
Stillness the corn heart eases It is the hour of love

When the sun like half a cheese Fast hides behind the hill
Wi' the maiden born to please How blest to be so still
To love her by the shed Agen the maple bower
When the bee is gone to bed And the dew is on the flower

762

THE LADYBIRD

Ladybird ladybird where art thou gone E're the daisy was open or the rose it was spread
On the cabbage flower early thy scarlet wings shone I saw thee creep off to the tulip bed
Ladybird ladybird where art thou flown
Thou wert here in the morning before the sun shone

Just now up the bowl o' the damson tree You passed the gold lichen and got to the grey
Ladybird ladybird where can you be You climb up the tulips and then fly away
You crept up the flowers while I plucked them just now
And crept to the top and then flew from the flowers
O sleep not so high as the damson tree bough
But come from the dew i' the eldern tree bowers

Here's lavender trees that would hide a lone mouse
And lavender cotton wi' buttons o' gold
And bushes o' lads love as dry as a house
Here's red pinks and daisies so sweet to behold
Ladybird ladybird come to thy nest
The gold beds i' the rose o the sweet brier tree
Wi rose coloured curtains to pleasure thee best
Come Ladybird back to thy Garden and Me

763

OH! BONNY IS THE COUNTRY

Tis Autumn wild the swim[m]ing clouds Pass low and lowery o'er the green
The swopping kite peelews aloud And sparrows in the stubbs are seen
Mid hawkweed flowers on sunday's hours I lye by Besseys side
Her arm sae white her eyes sae bright Brought every joy beside

The awe tree berries clustered brown The wilding apples green and sour
Her well shaped fingers pulled them down While courting in that autumn hour
Sparrows a crowd i' Stubbs chirped loud The partridge covey flew
O'er her bonnet crown where we sat down On the grass yet moist wi' dew

O' bonny was the country girl While the brooklet at her feet
Curled up the pebbles white as pearl And hawthorns looked so sweet
Hung o'er its way and willows grey Swayed gently by the wind
The fetches blue and bell bind too Did in the white thorn bind

The sun it gleamed both bright and warm And sparkled in wild flowers
The gnats were dancing in a swarm And gleamy grew the hours
The butterfly and bee whissed by Loud sung the grasshopper
Save larks i' the cloud all sang so loud As each one sung to her

764

I 'pilled the straws for want o' words And plucked up bents to plait
And thought while there the loving birds Had ne'er so sweet a mate
Her white straw hat o' smallest plait And green striped cotton gown
Her hiloes bright her stockings white She on the grass sat down

O' bonny Bessey wi' dark hair And face as round's a apple
Wi' lilly bosom half way bare Which blue veins richly dapple
Thy pouting lips like mellow hips Thy neck hair short and curled
I clasped the[e] there sae sweet a fair The angel o the world

A HEALTH TO ALL PRETTY GIRLS

Here's a health to all the pretty girls that dwell about Dundee
And luck to all the spicey pearls Boys loving drops like me
For priestcraft I the halter hing For freedom mints o gold
For honest men ‘God save the King’ May warm hearts ne'er grow cold

765

Here's [to] a the honest lasses too That round [the] wrekin be
May love be a' their lives pursue Their persons fond and free
No matter in what Town I dwell Or what the hour I dine
I drink the 'ealth to please my sell And that's to forty nine

To forty nine young happy girls I drink love peace and joy
With eyes O light and teeth o pearls May none their blooms destroy
I' rum and whiskey swats o wine I cider mead or beer
I drink to these as only mine And woman every where

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

All glory to my God and King And to his place above
He shields me with his mighty wing And keeps me for his love

766

FRAGMENT

[The cataract whirling to the precipiece]

The cataract whirling to the precipiece
Elbows down rocks and shoulders thundering through
Roars, howls and stifled murmurs never cease
Hell and its agonies seems hid below
Thick rolls the mist that smokes and falls in dew
The trees and greensward wear the deepest green
Horrible mysteries in the gulf stares through
Darkness and foam are indistinctly seen
Roars of a million tongues and none knows what they mean

MARY THE MAID O' THE PLOUGH

My bonny young Mary the maid o' the plough I feel such a something I cannot tell how
The flowers i' the grass and the leafs on the bough And its a for young Mary the maid o' the plough
O she is my wee thing my lone thing my ain thing For white is the blossom upo' the thorn bough
Down the green rutty lane where the dog roses hing I courted young Mary the maid O' the plough

My ain bonny Mary the maid o' the plough I feel O' so commical can you tell me how
A itch aching something the bird on the bough Sings songs unto Mary the maid O the plough

767

Who makes me so queer and I cannot tell how She's the wee thing the fond thing the young thing my ain thing
The sweetest of roses that bloomed on the bough Is sweet blooming Mary the maid o the plough

O' sweet as the hedge rose the maid O the plough O sweet as the cowslip beside the red cow
A comical something I cannot tell how And its a for young Mary the maid o the plough
And Mary's my wee thing my fond thing my ain thing And Mary's my rose bud that bluims [on] the hedge bough
A lilly more white than the sheets she has lain in My young bonny Mary the maid O the plough

SUMMERS IN ITS GLORY NOW

Summer's in its glory now Sweet the flower and green the bough
Dry is every swamp and slough My own kind deary
Could I press thy bonny bosom Swelling like a bursting blossom
Sweetly ripe as I suppose 'em Then heaven would be near thee
Fair and buxsome bonny Lassie Let us seek for places grassy
Where the brook it dimples glassy There I'll love thee deary

On thy lilly bosom leaning View thy eyes to guess their meaning
Kiss where not a look has been in Thy lilly bosom deary

768

Clasp thee round thy gimpsy middle Playing loves tunes without the fiddle
And loves secret joys unriddle To kiss and cheer me
To throw my arms about thy shoulders And in the band O' love enfold us
I' these green shades where none behold us Where heaven would be near thee

Come my blyth and bonny deary Let me clasp thee and lie near thee
And I of love shall ne'er be weary To clasp my bonny deary
To kiss thy cheeks O' new blown roses Thy breasts where hills O' alpine snow's is
As sweet as ever love supposes To glad and cheer me
About thy bonny arms I'll clasp thee And i' the vice o' fondness grasp thee
Till matrimony's charms shall hasp thee And bind thee aye my deary

MY BONNY SUE

My bonny Sue if love be true As I suppose you be
Thy smiling face that blushes grace Is doubly dear to me
If love in part be all the heart Thou'lt be an angel here
Body and soul's in thy controll Thou'rt more than doubly dear

769

In joy and themes than life and all Thou'rt more my lovely Sue
My heart is thine in love divine Be thine or false or true
Th[r]ough blight and bane I come again To love thee as my own
In smiles and tears days Months and Years Thou'rt mine and mine alone

My bonny Sue in love be true For I'm all truth to thee
Come weal or woe where e'er we go I'm thine eternally
In thy white breast my heart will rest Through troubles strife and thrall
In love be true my bonny Sue True love it conquors all

Still on the thorny prickly briar How sweet the hips doth shine
But not so sweet as thy lips here And these two cheeks of thine
The endive flowers beside the way Opens in heavens dye
But they have not the cheering ray Of thy two bright blue eyes

MY BONNY YOUNG ANNE MARIA

The wind blows high and the wind blows low And I wist not where to be
One thought says stop and another says go Thy Ann Maria see
For she is bonny and fair And her features never tire
O' sweet is the face and dark hair Of sweet Ann Maria

770

O' she is a bonny girl And she wears a gown o' green
Her teeth are as white as pearl And her breast nothing whiter was seen
O I look on thy face with delight Thy beauty it sets me on fire
I court thee from morning till night My beautiful Ann Maria

I court thee from morning to night And every half hour O' the day
Thou'rt nought but my love and delight Though all the while absent from me
Thy cheeks are as red as a rose Thy eyes are like sparkles O' fire
Thou'rt a queen in thy holliday clothes My bonny young Ann Maria

THE WALK LAST SABBATH DAY

I took a walk last sabbath day In my best sunday suit
I passed a maiden on the way She stooped to tie her boot
She looked so beautiful she did And she was all alone
Thick arms and shape light drapery hid Turned both my eyes to stone

O what a breast her bosom wore That when [she] stooped hung down
Whiter and bigger than before The fairest i the Town

771

And had unpin'd abin her gown The red runned from out her stayes
Like croodie on the grass so brown Or lodged at her Shoe taes

She looked so sweet I forced to stop The blush up ears and eyes
She seemed too heavy at the top Unable all to rise
And where her boot lace came undone A purple orchis grew
I saw it in the evening sun And in the morning dew

I saw't o evenings i' the week Each sunday i' the year
And purposed journeys came to seek When orchis flowers appear
O they are clods that never seek For true loves living powers
When beans grow up as green as leeks I hunt the Orchis flower

I LOVED THE LASSES DEARLY

I loved the Lasses dearly When I wad'nt but a boy
They seemed angels all or nearly And everlasting joy
When I sat among the rushes By the path where maidens came
Their gowns brushed by the white thorn bushes And set my heart on flame

772

Their eyes looked bright and warm When warmly gleamed the weather
And each one left me such a charm I'd kissed them altogether
I sat me down where green the grass is In sunshine and the blast
And there I dearly loved the lasses Aye every one that past

And when I saw the valley flower Shook by bees flying near 'em
She left her eye in that sweet hour But loves voice woud'n't hear him
And when she stooped down further on for flowers love burnt to give her
I loved where the rose was gone her face was fair for ever

WHEN THE SLOE FLOWER'S IN BLOOM

When the sloe f[l]owers in bloom upon March's chill bosom
And the newly dropt lambkins lie chill on the plain
I think about Songs and I want to compose 'em
For sweet at the evening is my bonny Jane
Her bosom's as soft as the down O the thistle
Like the head O the red cap her red cheeks remain
A fig for your pearls and your jewels gae whistle
There's nothing but nature can equal my Jane

Her smiles are as rich as the hues O' her bosom
And that is as white as the mountain O snow
I want but the scrap of a Song to compose 'em
To make about Jenny and sing as I go

773

Down the vales and wood rideings a' blistered wi dew
Where the foxglove hangs pendant in ribbed hazle leaves
To speak O' her beauty and sing't a true
Loves song O' simplicity never deceives

She's the pink O' carnations The dove O creation
Both artless and fair is the choice O' my ain
In beauty she's winning her heart's free frae sinning
I took her frae thousands to love her alane
The sparrow cheeps loud o'er her door i' the e'ening
While her apron she takes to the bee on the pane
To give him his freedom where queen stocks are leaning
There is naething sae luvley as my bonny Jane

THE BALM O CARE IS WOMAN

How pleasant is the evening walk With one kind hearted Lassie
How pleasant is a womans talk In places green and grassy
The salt of life the balm o care Is woman to man ever
They live the fairest of the fair And leave them will I never

Theres raptures in their bright bright eyes The flowers hang drops O dew
Their faces and their talk I prize—I love and kiss them through
I kiss them through their cheeks O roses I kissed them through their lips and eyes
They're all that happiness supposes In them the art of pleasing lies

774

I DREAM'T OF ROBIN

I opened the casement this morn at star light And the moment I got out O' bed
The daisies were quakeing about in their white And the cowslip was nodding its head
The grass was all shivers the stars were all bright And Robin that should cam at e'en
I thought that I saw him a gaist by moon light Like a stalking horse stands on the green

I went bed agen and did nothing but dream Of Robin and moon light and flowers
He stood like a shawdow transfixed by a Stream and I could'n't forget him for hours
I'd just dropt asleep when I dreamed Robin spoke And the casement it gave such a shake
As if every pane i' the window was broke Such a patter the gravel did make

So I up i' the morning before the cock crew And to strike a light I sat down
I saw from the door all his track i' the dew And I guess called ‘come in and sit down’
And sure enough tramples up to the door And who but young Robin is sen'
And ere the old folks were half willing to stir We met kissed and parted agen

775

THE DAISY BUTTON TIPP'D WI' DEW

The daisy button tipped wi' dew Green like the grass was sleeping
On every thing 'neath heaven blue In moonlight dew was weeping
In dark wood sung the Nightingale The moon shone round above me
My arms were clasped round Mary Gale My dearest do you love me

Her head a woodbine wet wi' dew Held in the moonlight sleeping
And two in one together grew Wi' daisy buds a weeping
O' Mary Gale sweet Mary Gale How round and bright above thee
The moon looks down on grassy vale My dearest can you love me

How sweet the moonlight sleeps and still Firdale and hedge row brere
The mole wharps mound and distant hill Is moonlight every where
The totter grasses pendalums Are still as night above me
The bees are gone and nothing hums My dearest do you love me

The moonlight sleeps o'er wood and wall Sweet Mary While you'r nigh me
Can any charm O' courtship fail And any joy pass by me
The gossamer all wet wi' dew Hung on the brere above me
She leaned her cheek and said ‘I do’ And ever mean to love thee

776

WILL YE GANG A WEEDING DEAR

Will ye gang a weeding dear
I' the green and ju[i]cey year
Spare the ground larks twitchey nest
By the mothers bosom prest
Soft as is thy snowy breast
I' the May time O' the year

Like the red caps blushing head
Such thy cheeks on fields green bed
Cutting thistle frae the wheat
Or blushing on the dinner seat
And thy voice is full as sweet
There's music in thy very feet

Will ye gang a weeding dear
I' the green and juicey year
Will ye go a weeding wheat
Sit on the green dinner seat
Where the wild thyme smells sae sweet
Will ye gang a weeding dear

Heres the John go bed at noon
And a bit O' the old moon
As the sun to[o] early rose
Gilding where the thistle grows
And the rush fringed water flows
Will ye go a weedin[g] soon

When blebs O' dew as clear as pearls
On every prickle trembling swells
And the moon not faded quite
Hangs his half round i' the light
Will ye weed frae morn till night
One O' natures loveliest Girls

777

'TWAS IN A SUMMER'S MORNING

Twas in a summers morning I' the month of warm July
The sun green meads adorning And lovely looked the sky
Hay cocks bleached on the grass And some lay in the swath
When by a neat and lovely lass Went down the meadow path

My pretty maid good morning You've brought a charming day
Good morn she said not scorning What more I had to say
Through rustling flags and arrowhead The water wavered by
Light was the bonny maidens tread And sharp her quick reply

At my request the maid sat down Among the knop weed flowers
The sun had tanned her bosom brown And sultry were the hours
She sat her down upon the grass Where crickets chirped loud
She was a young and bonny lass Her cheeks with roses glowed

You've won my heart my dear said I, As I sat at her feet
Red was her lip and bright her eye The hay smelt very sweet
I clasped her by the neck so soft Like heap of burning twitch
The water rats were nibbling sedge The moon light hour was rich

The willow tree its shadow flings Like brigs across the stream
The owl his hooting ditty sings Her bosom white as cream
I kissed she took the homeward track Along the meadow ground
“Good night” upon my ear came back In natures sweetest sound

778

OH ONCE I HAD A TRUE LOVE

O' once I had a true love And I loved her very well
Untill she got a new love For my wish I could not tell
When Absent I talked to her And when she might have heard
Thinking silence best could woo her I passed without a word
I hid me from her sight And I hid me from her thoughts too
I lost my relish for delight And vainly studdied ways to woo

I thought she saw my heart beat My waistcoat seemed to heave and stir
My eyes that others used to cheat Was ever fond and true to her
She saw me quake unheeding My eyes they watered dim
The flower ‘True love lies bleeding’ Could never talk for him
I thought she saw my legs shake She never spoke a word
I thought she saw my hands quake Though her hands they never stirred

We silent stood together And we passed without a word
In spring and winter weather was nothing seen or heard
I thought to send a letter But I never wrote a line
Another time seemed better To ask her to be mine
But ‘another time’ was absent No silence love could prove
No word was spoke no line was sent And so I lost my love

779

AGAIN I'LL TAKE MY INK AND PEN

Agen I'll take my idle pen And sing my bonny mountain maid
Sweet Phebe O' the scottish glen Nor of her censure feel afraid
I'll charm her ear with beautys praise And please her eye wi songs agen
The ballads of our early days to Phebe O' the Scottish glen

There never was a fairer thing All Scotlands glens and mountains through
The siller gowans O the spring Vei'd o'er wi' pearls O mountains dew
The maiden blushed upon the brere Far distant frae the haunts O' men
Is nothing half so sweet and dear As Phebe O' the Scottish glen

How handsome is her naked foot Moist wi the pearls O' summer dew
The siller daisy's nothing to't Nor awthorn flowers so white to view
She's sweeter than the blooming brere That blooms sae far away frae men
N'ae flower i Scotland bent sae dear As Phebe O' the Scottish glen

780

SHE'S LOVELY IN HER PERSON

She's lovely in her person And taller in her size
Then some bards make a verse on And lovely are her eyes
She's worth a Poets ransome She chills my heart on fire
Her face is very handsome And warm as my desire
O' beautifull is woman In her secret love for Man
Like flowers eternal blooming And I'll win her if I can

I'll win her and I['ll] wear her Like a nose gay on the breast
And on my heart I'll bear her Like a nosegay sweetly prest
She shall be mine for ever And that I'm sure she shall
And a pleasant kiss I'll give her As a sweet and lovely girl
Her cheeks are like two roses And her lips are ruby red
And whatever truth supposes I should like her downy bed

Her cheeks are bonny roses And auburn is her hair
Her eye as dark as sloes is Her neck is lilly fair
She's love among the roses When the leaves wear morning gems
Her bosom white as snows is Her eyes two diadems
To conquor and to kill ye If ye worship them too long
And will ye love or will ye She's the sweetest girl in Song

781

OH PHOEBE LOVELY PHOEBE

O' Phebe lovely Phebe meet me in the hills O' gorse
We'll sit upon wild thyme so sweet And loves soft joys engross
Round thy white neck my arm shall fall Thy hand pressed close in mine
While wheat ears in the bushes catch And whitethroats sing divine

I'll kiss thy lips so softly prest And wait thy kind replys
And lean upon thy snowy breast And look love in thine eyes
My arm shall clasp thee round the waist Thy hand still held in mine
And nothing but ideas chaste Shall meet those ears of thine

The heather with its knol[l]s O' bloom Shall rustle by thy feet
And home the pettichap shall come To its nest beside thy seat
And bonnily thy gown shall fold Wi' the soft summer wind
And sweet shall shine the hills O' gold Wi furze brigh[t] blossomed lined

O' Phebe lovely Phebe dear In each others arms we'll lye
And rich shall smell the wild sweet Brere And sweet shall low the kye
We'll lye till evening claims the sun Behind the furze clad hill
And when our day of cortship's done I'll meet and worship still

782

PRIMROSES IN THE WOOD APPEAR

Primroses in the woods appear
Their sulphur coloured flowers
Are the wan heralds of the year
In March's varying hours

And by the mossy hedge they spring
In sulphur shining bloom
What time the thrush begins to sing
And sallow catkins come

Beneath the white thorn vivid green
How beautiful they look
Maple and hazle bush beturns
Beside the gulphing brook

How sweetly shine the fairey flowers
Near gravel paved streams
Foretelling Aprils dewy showers
As rich as Julias dreams

Green linnets peck the pated flowers
In March's kindling vest
I'll crop some blooms in these wild hours
For Julia's happy breast

783

VIOLETS AND PRIMROSES

When violets and primroses bloom on the plain
How happy on Sundays I walk with my swain
Down the mossy wood side And the fields white thorn quick
Where the brook flows so clear And the flowers grow so thick

There's the curly wool'd lambs with their lilly white skin
Keep running their races while none of them win
The cowslip breaks off from their feet where they run
And lies on the ground till its killed by the sun

Now they lye neath the ash tree that stays not the sun
But stops out the wind they are anxious to shun
And sleep where the violets are smelling so sweet
On the bank by the hedge in the suns pleasant heat

Where violets and primroses bloom on the plain
How happy on Sundays I walk with my swain
When the curl coated lambs at their gambol's are seen
O'er the greensward that spring warms and kindles to green

THE SUN IS SETTING

The sun is a setting The dews they are wetting
The grass in the meadow And down the green lane
The clouds sail more lowly and travel on slowly
To the top O' the mountain and over the main
Leaving the hedges and bushes full soon
To the sleep O' the night and the light O' the moon

784

Alone in the gloaming Where beauty is roaming
Along the green lane by the light O' the moon
Wi bonny breast heaving Sweet dreams she is weaving
In hopes that her lover may meet with her soon
Boughs stir as a bird hurries into its nest
And the thoughts of her lover leap up in her breast

She passes the wild brere
Where bowing the mild ear
Tans brown for the harvest all misted wi dew
The birds in the bushes
The larks in the rushes
And the tall clumps of teazles and thistles red blue

The sun set is hurled
To the edge of the world
Like a millstone red hot out O' night to return
Now it waxes all dim
And its uppermost rim
Is all that is seen O' that circle O' fire

The maiden walks lonely
With her love and that only
Amused with the moonlight and shadows of eve
Night and day all are blooming
In nature and woman
For both are truths pleasures and nothing to grieve

THE DAYS OF APRIL

On the return of April some few days
Before it comes when every thing looks new
And woods where primroses burn in a blaze
Of fire And sallows in the woods made new

785

Seen blazeing out in blossoms not a few
But bushes smothered over what a change
Is turned upon their brightness passing by
The very birds the pies and crows and Jays
Look downward on their bloom from dark trees high
And wood larks dropping from the rich blue sky
Winner and whistle to their very roots
Sitting beneath a canophy of gold
And wood anemonies the sharp air suits
Their sheltered blooms with beauties manifold

Daisies burn April grass with silver flies
And pilewort in the green lane blazes out
Enough to burn the fingers neath the briars
Where village Boys will scrat dead leaves about
To look for pootys—every eye admires
The lovely pictures that the spring brings out
Meadows of bowing cowslips what mind tires
To see them dancing in the emerald grass
And trawling chrystal brook as clear as glass
Laughing groaning uggling on for miles
That waves the silver blades of swimming grass
Upon the surface while the glad sun smiles
Such are the sights the showers and sunshine bring
To three or four bright days in the first of spring

The sun shines in days heaven a bright light
All gold and glorious beautiful and fair
Spanning all ether in a day all bright
With beams as glowing as an angels hair

786

While clouds blue ether beautiful ye are
Light spans ye like a dome with a [OMITTED]
Earth ocean and the infinite blue air
Which the Almighty's presence cir[c]les round
With might immensity that knows no bound

THE RETURN OF SPRING

What was expected is expected more
As the days lengthen and the sun gets warm
Wild flowers will gather to the cottage door
Daisey and pilewort and about the farm
The young lambs skip and dance on the green floor
And pewets scream upon the neighbouring moor
Cowslips in crowds that never yet was seen
The meadows and green close is smothered o'er
And every place where winters blight hath been
Is all repaired by spring in gold and green

How lovely green and level meadows lye
Filling with flowers of spring day following day
How bright the lakes how beautifull the sky
With Harry Phillips re[a]d and fled to play

787

On the clear streams in the green month of May
How beautiful green golden days go by
Fish can't refuse the bait in such warm days
Such flowery meadows and so sweet a sky
And then a shower dimpling the stream melts by

MY LOVE SHE WAS A GIPSEY O

My love she was a Gipsey O
The brown and bonny Gipsey O
She fortunes told from town to town
And sometimes she got tipsey O
Her face was brown as is the ground
Her eyes are two eclipses
The sun is fixed the rest go round
She's the sun O' the gipseys O

A gipsey lass my love was born
Among the heaths furze bushes O
More fair than Lady's on the lawn
Whose song is like the thrushes O
Like links O' snakes her inky hair
The dandy beau she kisses O
Her face round as an apple fair
She blisters where she kisses O

Her ancle slim as lady's zone
A mill post swells the calf o't
Her merry heart might be my own
Could I but steal the half O't

788

My love she is a gipsey O
A brown and bonny gipsey O
What e'er betide the life to come
I'll ne'er forsake my gipsey O

THE CORN CRAIKS RISPY SONG

The corncraik rispt her summer call Just as the sun went down
Copper red a burning ball In woods behind the town
I wandered forth a maid to meet So bonny and so fair
No other flower was half so sweet And cole black was her hair

Upon the grasses stood the dew Bead drop O' clearest pearl
Her hair was black her eyes were blue O what a lovely Girl
Her neck was like the lilly white Her breast was like the swan
She was in heart and loves delight A worship for a Man

The corncraiks rispy song was oer The sun had left the light [alone]
I love dusk kisses on the Moor To lewder life unknown
Hid in the bosom of a flower Its lifetime there to dwell
Eternity would seem an hour And I'd be resting well

789

SWEET SOPHY'S EYES ARE CHRYSTALS CLEAR

My bonny handsome gipsey girl I've loved thee long and ever shall
Her beauty is of love the flame And Sophy Barret is her name
Her bosom like a pillar swells And in her bright eye true love dwells
Her Auburn hair her teeth O' pearl There's none can beat my gipsey girl

My Sophys teeth are made O' pearl And she's my bonny gipsey girl
Sweet leg and footed like [a] fawn She trips the common night and morn
With sweet lips like the woodbine berry Scarlet and glossy as a cherry
The emerald heaths and skys O pearl Surround my bonny gipsey girl

Sweet Sophy's eyes are chrystals clear And soft dark hazle all the year
Her bosom is as soft as silk Her neck and arms as white as milk
Her hair is auburn and like dew Love looks the chrystal windows through
O' none but nature ne'er can tell How I love my bonny gipsey girl

790

THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE RUSHES

The wind that shakes the rushes Upon the thistley crowded green
The wind that stirs the bushes Where the thrushes nest has been
That curdles o'er the water On the stone pits down the lane
There live the ‘ale’ wifes daughter The bonny buxsome Jane

She's sweeter than the wild rose On the white thorn fence in June
Her voice more sweet and mild flows Then ballads sung in tune
The bees upon the hive stones Sing by the window pane
And sable bees the wild ones Sing pleasant songs to Jane

The skylark nauntles through the grass And startles in the air
And sings above the bonny lass His ballads sweet and fair
The sooty blackbird sings so loud Till echo sings again
And robin in the hovel proud Will sing to bonny Jane

Her wind waved gown was bonny brown Wi' wheat blade strip's O green
A sweeter girl i' all the town Than she was never seen
The village bells O' sabbath days Sound sweetly down the lane
They seem to sing in various ways go in and marry Jane

791

OH SWEET IS THE SOUND

O sweet is the sound O the doves clapping wings
And the sound O' the wood gate thrown open that claps
O sweet is the song o' the thrush where it sings
And sweet the old oak where the woodpecker taps
Where primrose and blue bell bloom littered around
And the ever green Ivy feathered round the green tree
Here spoke my sweet Susan there was love i' the sound
O' her voice as she stood calmly talking to me

Her hand held fine blue bells and primroses too
Ribbed leaves of the hazels were beautifully green
Anemonies too that were weeping in dew
In the white hand O' Susan that morning were seen
How sweet was her inky hair sweetened wi' dew
How sweet was her bosom more white than the snow
Her gown it was green speckled over wi blue
O' her hair was jet black like the back of a crow

Sweet looked the grey lichen upon the green oak
The violets looked rich by each root mossy green
And the raven croaked loud as a rustic had spoke
Here Susan all day wi' her lover would lean
Agen the white bark O' the oak to admire
Green mosses and wild flowers spread round at her feet
Her eyes were as bright as the suns liquid fire
And the greenwoodlands still in her absence seems sweet

792

ANGEL SHE SEEM'D AND WOMAN TOO

She walks in beauty and in light
And beauty dwells in every way
An angel in the gloomy night
A womans loveliness by day
Calm blushing fa[i]ry form in bright
A goodness that shall ne'er decay

Need I describe her magic form
The beauty of each budding breast
To say how fair they are and warm
Where love so much desires to rest
In such a place in troubles storm
How sweet would be the rest

Angel she seemed and woman too
So beautiful and fair
Aereal forms that live in dew
Sweet spirits of the air
She was my boyhoods earlyest dreams
And still my sweetest vision seems

I knew her once in early days
I love her memory now
When wreaths of roses used to blaze
Upon her sunny brow
I loved her then unknown to ill
She blooms the sweetest woman still

793

THE FLOWER OF OUR VALLEY

The flower of our valley Is the milkmaiden Sally
I've neer seen her equal before
She's as fine as wild roses And sweet as young posies
And my heart she would gi' me no more
One Sunday at noon She stole it all soon
And turned my hind part all before

The woods fields and bushes And pasture all rushes
Seemed to stand somewhere else all the day
There was nought seemed the same Wheresoever I came
And I scarcely could find the old way
My hand leapin[g] in to her breast neath her chin
‘Good-morning’ was all she would say

Her voice like the linnet had melody in it
Her eyes they were burning and bright
Though the sun fit to burn ye Hadn't done his journey
My dizziness took it for night
Her breasts in her gown like two snow hills looked down
And I sunk i' the drift out O' sight

She's the flower of our Valley and her names pretty Sally
Her eye is so bright it would burn ye
My eyes were as straight As the best though I say't
Till I went wi' fair Sally loves journey
And if I get blind on't Herself shall be fined on't
So I'll go and seek up an Atorney

794

WEDDED JANE

Is loves gold ring been broken
The twin hearts golden token
Dearest Jane,
‘Truth told beside the alter
Was that e'er known to falter
Come again’
I wooed thee and we wed
Bride from the alter led
The Bells rung when abed
‘Wedded Jane’

In summer both united
In flowers and green fields plighted
Dearest Jane
Birds sung the truth o' nature
And thou Mans sweetest creature
Come again
The cowslips gild the morn
The chaffinch on the thorn
Sings just as when at dawn
I courted Jane

But twenty years have braided
Loves wreaths that bloomed and faded
Absent Jane
The chaffinch sings to morrow
None heeds if joy or sorrow
Dearest Jane
Flowers came and none to heed
I' hedge rows and the mead
E'en the meanest weed
Wanted Jane

795

Cowslips have come again
And daisy's sheet the plain
Come again
Loves golden ties near parted
Though true love has been thwarted
Dearest Jane
I wooed thee and I wed thee
And to the alter led thee
Come to love where thy head lay
Beautiful Jane

Come here to my heart love
And we'll never more part love
My beautiful Jane
The cowslips are growing
The broad waters are flowing
Pay debts to love owing
My beautiful Jane
‘And then we'll have ease love’
‘And live as we please love’
‘In wedlock all freed’

SWEET ISABELLA COME

Sweet Isabella fair and young
The music of a womans tongue
Does to those ruby lips belong
Thy cheeks the roses bloom
Eyes bright as pearl
My own dear girl
Sweet Isabella come

796

Primroses pearled i' morning dew
Wi' russet eye and brimstone blue
Are waiting i' the woods for you
And wild bees early hum
That gently swell
The anemonie
Dear Isabella come

Where the short billed linnet builds her nest
And hides in moss her leaf green breast
On mossy banks we well can rest
Mid blue bells nodding bloom
Wood butterfly
Like flowers go by
There Isabella come

Blue violets they begin to shoot
Beneath the mossy white thorn root
And spread where milkmaid sets her foot
Nor bruises scarce a flower
Come Isabella
My own sweet girl
Enjoy the young spring hour

The lark has left the trembling corn
And whistles on the wings O morn
The blue red east and ashy dawn
And bees round thistles hum
I love thee well
My Isabella
Muse o' ballad come

797

THOSE EYES OF BLUE

Sweet maiden with those eyes of blue
And hair like tendons of the vine
Sprinkled in pearl o' morning dew
Sweet Phebe love be mine
Like the rose i' the bud
When in blossom thoult shine
Like trees loud in the wood
My song shall e'er be thine

Sweet maiden with the bright blue eye
Bind weeds ethereal blue
The colour o' the spreading sky
Is not more fair and true
Like the sound i' the wood
I am singing to thee
Like the rose i' the bud
I hope only true to be

In loves happy moment so true
I hope that you may yet be mine
For long as the violet is blue
My heart within still will be thine
And true as the flower is
To the spring in its hue
My heart my dear Honoris
Shall to Phebe live true

798

WHEN I WAS YOUNG

When I was young I fell in love and got but little good on't
When she passed I turned away
At first she would then woudn't
I wished to speak and then the sigh
Came first and always stopt it
Come silence tell my wishes then
I thought so and then dropt it
And never tried to speak agen

The path that o'er the cornfield lay
I met her one day early
She turned her face another way
And I walked in the barley
A lark that moment sought the sky
Close to her gown or nearly
Her bright eye looked to see him fly
And then I loved her dearly

And turns the rosey cheek to clay
Tis beauty's face in woman's form
That steals the senses all away
That rends the bosom like a storm
Though mild as evenings sober ray
The winds they sigh the dews they weep
And on the violets bosom fall
First love and truth unriddles all

799

NOW IS PAST

Now is past the happy now
When we together roved
Beneath wild woods oak tree bough
And nature said we loved
Winters blast
The now since then has crept between
And left us both apart
Winters that withered all the green
Hath froze the beating heart
Now is past

Now is past since last we met
Beneath the hazle bough
Before the evening sun was set
Her shadow stretched below
Autumns blast
Has stained and blighted every bough
Wild strawberry's like her lips
Have left the mosses green below
Her blooms upon the hips
Now is past

Now is passed is changed agen
The woods and fields has painted new
Wild strawberry's which both gathered then
None knows now where they grew
The sky's o'er cast
Wood stra[w]berry's faded from wood sides
Green leaves have all turned yellow
No Adelaide walks the wood sides
True love has no bedfellow
Now is past

800

I'LL LOVE THEE NO MORE

When spring comes unwelcome to the lovers eye[s]
And the voice o' the singing bird grates on the ear
When the green o' the white thorn idle fancies despise
And beauty o' womanhood fails to be dear
Then my thought shall be blighted and love pass away
And bitterness nip my fond heart to its core
And sweet sensibility drop and decay
O' then dearest Ellen I'll love thee no more
My beautiful Ellen...no
I'll love thee no more

When the wild flowers o' summer unnoticed forgotten
Shall flourish neglected and blossom unseen
When love in its coffin lies perished and rotten
And none could believe what its beauty could mean
Then the reign of fair woman is burried in chains
And nought can the fame of her beauty restore
All nature is withered the green of her plain[s]
O' then dearest Ellen I'll love thee no more
Dearest Ellen no—no—
I can love thee no more

Thy bosom the lilly those cheeks like the rose
Thy lips like the bud or the bloom o' the brere
When nature to charm us no pleasure bestows
Then thy charms and thy person shall fail to be dear
To every heart Ellen that beat but my own
The rose that is withered no bloom can restore
Thoul't be left as a flower in its beauty alone
Then then dearest Ellen
I can love thee no more—no, no
Dearest Ellen I can love thee no more

801

TIS PLEASANT TO WALK

Tis pleasant to walk by the green wood side
And stand by the spinney rails
Where the misty rauk like smoke spreads wide
And slow the puddock sails
Tis pleasant to walk by the creeping brook
Where the thistle and rest harrow bloom
Where the black snail crawls by the sun forsook
And creeps o'er the moss i' the gloom
Tis then we will roam wi' the moon for our guide
And Lucy's fond whispers walking close to my side

Tis pleasant to walk with the maid at eve
While the bat's on his leathern wing
Fly's close to her bonnet not asking leave
And in hedge rows the nightingales sing
Tis heaven to kiss on her dew whet cheek
And play with her coal black hair
While on her pale face the moon beam weak
Falls and makes shadows there
The hazle by her side and the oak above
Shades on her sweet face and twitters o' love

Tis pleasant to see her form so bright
And her bright glance turned on mine
I' the green o' the leaves and the pale moon light
And it[s] shadows so darkly divine
Tis more than is pleasant to kiss her sweet face
And see her eyes smiling on mine
I' the green and the love o [the place]
Where we stood in the pale moon shine
By the old park side neath the old oak tree
In her sunday gown my Lucy and me

802

THERE IS A VOICE I LOVE TO HEAR

There is a voice I love to hear
A form I love to meet
A face to me so very dear
A smile so very sweet
Her I love on from day to day
Through seasons past and gone
Of all the world when she's away
She seems the only one
There's no one else her place supplies
That bosom white and those bright eyes

There is a love to me so sweet
Carnations are not half so dear
There is a maid I love to meet
The fairest blossom o' the year
The rose is nothing like her lips
No gem so bright as Biddy's eyes
The mind is ever in eclipse
That stays to listen loves replys
There is a face I love to see
Biddy's the sweetest maid to me

She's handsomer than any flower
More sweet than pinks or peas in bloom
The love song o' the evening hour
The moonbeam in the midnight gloom
There is a voice when Biddy speaks
Which I for ever love to hear
I love to kiss her plump round cheeks
And mean to love her all the year
When Biddy's form and face I see
She's all the world and more to me

803

WHERE LOVE ARE YOU?

How sweet does the hour seem When the sun's gone bed
And gay clouds soft as dreams O'er the south west spread
When the bee sleeps till morn Where thistles adorn
The lane banks by the hedges All summered wi dew
Dragon flies on the sedges
But where love are you

Our choice hour of meeting Youve let it go by
Me the woodbine is greeting But lonely am I
The bees on the thistle Where grass crickets whistle
And lady birds creeping Regardless o' dew
With nature they're keeping
But where love are you

You promised by sunshine Where the woodbine blooms sweetly
You would come here and be mine
When the dews on the flower In this lane you would love me
Tis a beautiful hour And the moon shines above me
You spoke not intending
But where love are you

804

I CLASP MY LOVELY GIRL

Here we meet i' the moon light hour
Here we stand by the sleeping flower
Where dew drops hang as silent shower
On each grass blade a pearl
The moon tells endymions tale
O'er the wild rose hedge i' the grassy vale
While fondly I stand by the mossy rail
And clasp my lovely girl

In ivy tree sung the dove
O'er the old pond gleams the calm o' love
From the cloudless moon above
Where I clasp my bonny girl
Her heart pants like a new taen bird
This white doe singled from the herd
I kiss and not a thorn leaf's stirred
Each beaded with a pearl

I kiss her where no eye can see
Where none are near but her and me
By the awthorn hedge and Ivy tree
I clasp my lovely girl
In wild thyme hills by hedges green
To kiss her cheeks where nought has been
And teeth as white as pearl
And love those eyes o' pearl

The moon enlivens all the scene
The old deep pond o' duckweed green
The Ivy trees that o'er it lean
In shadows from above

805

All tell me o' the lovely girl
With hazle eyes and teeth o' pearl
I love so dear and ever shall
The place remembers love

BONNY JENNY O

Where John goes bed at noon bonny Jenny O
And the trees grow i' the hedge tall and many O
There's a baulk and edding there green full of flowers and fair
Come out and meet me there bonny Jenny O

Where the cowslips make a smell bonny Jenny O
By the spring heads sandy well bonny lassie O
And penny royal too pinheaded o'er wi' dew
At sunrise smelleth too bonny Jenny O

Theres a primrose bank O' sweets bonny Jenny O
And green moss for a seat bonny Jenny O
There we'll cuddle side by side Where blue bells i' their pride
Under heaven stovens grow bonny lassie O

May I lean upon thy breast bonny lassie O
And take a lovers rest bonny lassie O
The dreams would be so sweet and thy beauty so complete
Never more I'd wake to sigh bonny lassie O

806

AUTUMN

The thistle down's flying Though the winds are all still
On the green grass now lying Now mounting the hill
The spring from the fountain Now boils like a pot
Through stones past the counting It bubbles red hot

The ground parched and cracked is Like over baked bread
The greensward all wrecked is Bents dried up and dead
The fallow fields glitter Like water indeed
And gossamers twitter Flung from weed unto weed

Hill tops like hot iron Glitter hot i' the sun
And the Rivers were eyeing Burn to gold as they run
Burning hot is the ground Liquid gold is the air
Who ever looks round Sees Eternity there

YOUNG BESSY BRIGHT AND FAIR

Bessey wi the inky hair Snow drops are not half so fair
As her neck and bosom are O' Bessey wi the inky hair
The splashes o' the gravel brooks That silvers o'er the sandy nooks
Are not so sweet as thy loved looks Young Bessey bright and fair

807

The crimson o' the morning cloud The saffron hue o' evening's shroud
Are not so cheering or so proud As Besseys beaming eye
And yet I think her face is seen In little flowers beneath the green
That bloom the beds & moss so green So innocen[t]ly shy

Young Bessey is as sweet a thing As ever comes at early spring
The linnet wi' its grassy wing Is not so fair a creature
As Bessey wi' her inky hair Her swan white neck and bosom bare
The lilly's self is not so fair As Love in every feature

I see her in the morning sky I see her in the evening lye
On hills o' heaven passing by Hills beautiful and fair
I see her in the dewy flowers The slanting pearls o' summer showers
Her happy smiles at evening hours And Bessys ink[y] hair

MAID O' THE WILDERNESS

Maid o' the wilderness
Sweet i' thy rural dress
Fond thy rich lips I press
Under this tree
Morning her health bestows
Sprinkles dews on the rose
That by the bramble grows
Maid happy be
Womanhood round thee glows
Wander wi me

808

The rest harrow blooming
The sun just a coming
Grass and bushes illuming
And spreading oak tree
Come hither sweet Susan
Nor longer be choosing
The morning is losing
Its incense for thee
The pea leaf has dews on
Love wander wi me

We'll walk by the river
And love more than ever
There's nought shall dissever
My fondness for thee
Soft ripples the water
Flags rustle like laughter
And fish follow after
Leaves dropt from the tree
Susan's beauty's fair Daughter
Love wander wi me

COME SOFTLY MY DARLING

Come softly my darling My love quickly come
To its hole fly's the starling The bee tutles home
The moon it shines sweetly O'er firwood and lea
O come out love and meet me My sweetheart to be

809

My dear Mary Williams how lone absence seems
Does nature ill will us The woods and the streams
Come out love unchiding Our walk love shall be
Down the lonely wood riding neath the rusty fir tree

The night lamps of heaven The moons gentle light
To thee and me love To walk out to night
By thy gloved hand I'll charm thee and do nothing foul
Where nought shall alarm thee Save the whoop o' the Owl

All silent is moonlight Rustled leaps o' the frog
Dark clouds passing soon light And bark o the dog
Are all we shall hear love And nought shall we see
But the white blooming brere love And the night black fir tree

So come out Mary Williams and meet me to night
Dark firs and grey willows Shall hide our delight
My arm round thy blisses My lips on thy cheek
I'd love thee in kisses Night and day the whole week

MARY BATEMAN

My love she wears a cotton plaid
A bonnet o' the straw
Her cheeks are leaves o' roses spread
Her lips are like the awe
In truth she is as sweet a maid
As true love ever saw

810

Her hair in ringlets black as ink
And glossy is the lovely hue
Her eyes look light as if they think
Two heaps o' diamond dew
For love I cannot sleep a wink
For half the season through

Her curls are ever in my eyes
As nets by Cupid flung
Her voice will oft my sleep surprise
More sweet than ballad sung
O' Mary Batemans curling hair
I wake and there is nothing there

I wake and fall asleep again
The same delight in visions rise
There's nothing can appear more plain
Than these rose cheeks and those bright eyes
I wake again and all alone
Sits darkness on his ebon throne

All silent runs the silver Trent
The cobweb veils are all wet through
A silver bead's on every bent
On every leaf a bleb o' dew
I sighed the moon it shone so clear
Was Mary Bateman walking here

811

THE DARK DAYS OF AUTUMN

The dark days of Autumn grows cloudy and rainy
The sun pales like sulphur the shadows grow long
To me the dull season the sweetest of any
I love to see yellow leaves fall in my song
The rush covered green and thistle capped mountain
The dead leaves a falling and winds singing round
The willow and ash leaves they choak up the fountain
There's health i' the strife o't and joy i' the sound

I love there to loiter wi' winds blowing round me
Till the strong eddies past and the rain gust is over
Wild pigeons fly over the instance looks downy
With [stunt] willow rows [and] pieces of clover
Brown pieces o' stubbles ground o' turnips bright green
The crows flying over the lakes silver light
Scarce a wild blossom left to enliven the scene
Rauk and mist are for ever in sight

PEGGY'S THE LADY O' THE HALL

And will she leave the lowly clowns
For silks and satins gay
Her woolen Aprons and drab gowns
For lady's cold array

812

And will she leave the wild hedge rose
The redbreast and the wren
And will she leave her sunday beaus
And milk shed i' the glen
And will she leave her kind friends all
To be the Lady o' the Hall

The cowslips bowed their golden drops
The white thorn white as sheets
The lamb agen the old ewe stops
The wren and robin tweats
And Peggy took her milk pails still
And sang her evening song
To milk her cows on cowslip hill
For half the summer long
But silks and satins rich and rare
Are doomed for Peggy still to wear

But when the May had turned to awes
The hedge rows swelled to hips
Peggy was missed without a cause
And left us in eclipse
The shepherd i' the hovel milks
Where builds the little wren
And Peggy's gone a' clad i' silks
Far from the happy glen
From dogrose woodbine clovers all
Peggy's the Lady of the hall

813

WINTER

How blasted nature is, the scene is winter
The Autumn withered every branch
Leaves drop, and turn to colourless soil
Ice shoots i' splinters at the river Bridge
And by and bye all stop—
White shines the snow upon the far hill top
Nature's all withered to the root, her printer
To decay that neer comes back
Winds burst, then drop
Flowers, leaves and colours, nothing's left to hint her
Spring, Summer, Autumn's, withered into winter

THE SCOTCH AND IRISH GIRL

I loved a Scotch then Irish girl
But now I'm lone and free
A diamond one the next a pearl
Both buried i' the Sea
I sung for one I sighed for two
And tryed the last to win
The first she let the tie knot go
Wi none I claimed akin

The Scotch girl had a bonny face
And coal black was her hair
The Irish girl was first i' place
Her bosom was so fair

814

'Twas whiter than the new fallen snow
Her eye was like the sun
That failed that frozen spot to show
Between them Im undone

The Scotch girl turned her nose awry
“Yere no my ain laddie
At bonny Jean my mind did try
But she'd not hearken me
The Irish maiden said ‘Och hounds
My eye is not that same
My Pat the Irish near confounds
Get back the gate ye came

I LOVE THE BLUE VIOLET

I love the blue violet that creeps on the mossy bank
And wood bell so purple wi green leaves so glossy rank
Where wild rabbits caper wi' many a tossy prank
And show their white shirts to the light
I love the mossy bank by the green hazle bush
I love the early song o' the brown missle thrush
And dairy decked mole hill i' beds o the tassle rush
I' the middle o' summers delight

But better than mossy banks twenty times over
Or wind waving rush beds the form of my lover
Sweet Susan as fair as the clumps o' white clover
Ever feeding the songs o' the bee

815

O' harmless as white legged lambs round the mole hills
Wi' her beauty and truth to o'er flowing the soul fills
On Susans white bosom a beauty spot mole hills
And makes her more dear to me

Her hair is as dark as the cloud i' the bright morn
Her bosom's as white as the flower o the white thorn
Her lips are as red as the rose bud i' light born
And dear is young Susan to me
I wooed her and won her and doatingly love her
And think her the lovliest all the world over
And sweeter than rose buds than red or white clover
Is bonny young Susan to me

OH THERE IS A VALLEY

O there is a valley where I met pretty Sally
Sure never seemed woman or valley so fair
How sweet womans clouths is her cheeks like red roses
Blushed warmly and sweet through her bonny dark hair
Round woodbines winds Sally and the cheeks o' young Sally
Wove a colour more sweet than the bloom o' the brere
Her hair it was dark brown her eye fetched the lark down
While mounted in heaven a singing most clear

King cups wi' pearls all inside by the morning
Were studded all over the green grassy leas
Oaks glossy green brightness sheeted daisy beds whit[e]ness
And sweeter that morning the song of the bees

816

When I clasped my arms round her and doatingly found her
The sweetest o' maidens I'd e'er before seen
Where the gay and bright butterfly's with their wings full o eyes
Seemed like flowing flowers sprung from the grass green

O this is the valley where I met pretty Sally
Among the hedge roses and trailing woodbine
Where the yellow sweet briar like a green bush on fire
On our dazzeled fancies did shine
Where the blue bells in dew drooping all the wood through

THE NIGHT IS STILL

The night is still dead Oak leaves strew
Dyke bottoms and the green grass too
When I came here the golden west
Wore all the daylights golden crown
The sun lay on its mottled breast
Within an hours going down
When Mary at my elbow stood
Beside the green entangled wood

I loved her there among green hues
The green white thorn i' evening dews
And loud the snort o' feeding horse
Grazeing beside that woody lane
Green bushes where we stood beneath
On green grass and beds o moss
While sweet came evenings dewey breath
Where I and Mary again met

817

We meet and love firm as a rock
The birds our voices seem to mock
Hedge sparrows with their eggs o blue
Sat on their green moss nest
Where Mary's smiles looked more than true
And calm her snowy breast
And by the Ivied Oak tree wood
Mary and I one evening stood

THE MILKMAID IS BONNY AND FAIR

O the milkmaid a beautiful flower
And kind as a prayer book to me
She shows me more truth in an hour
Than the Parson and prayer book in three
She shews me sweet tales o wild flowers
And the chaffinches nest i' the thorn
She'll be talking to birds for whole hours
And the sweetest girl ever was born

Her face is all roses her neck's like her milk
And white as the daisy's snow rim
Her bosoms as soft as the silk
She'd beauty in every limb
The hedge roses hung on the brere
Had nothing at all to admire
Than her smile there was nothing so dear
Then her eyes they were brighter than fire

The Milkmaid is bonny and fair
Though only seen morning and e'en
All glossy and dark is her hair
Her gown it was bonny and green

818

Where the green linnet ruffles her wing
And shakes the pearl drops from thorn boughs
O the Milkmaid's a beautiful thing
When she sits there a milking her cows

THE MAIDEN CLAD WI' CLAY

Her cot has got the shutters closed
Her garden's full o weeds
The beds where larkheel flowers reposed
The stinging nettle breeds
Stray tulips may be coming still
But thistles hide the flowers
Once their lived flowers that meant no ill
And loved the summers dewy showers

Her Mother lost her Father first
And then she lost her cow
Poultry and pigs like childern mist
And none knew where or how
She put the pot lid on agen
Ere tears fell i' the pot
She seldom wept afore the Men
Nor yet condemned her lot

At last her Mother pined away
And every friend she had
A branch broke from a bush o may
Could hardly seem as bad

819

Jenny neer doubted her belief
Nor deemed Gods judgement wrong
But went away oer come wi grief
And may be not for long

Nine years have come nine years have past
And Jenney not returned
The doors and shutters nail'd up fast
Till even sparrows mourned
The flowers in blossom used to stoop
Not tied up as before
No hand was left to tie them up
Weeds spread up to the door

And every year brought thicker crops
Choked flowers were seen no more
And then they nailed the shutters up
And then they nailed the door
Though tears were shed and blessings said
When the Maiden went away
But tears long dry and so's each sigh
The Maidens clad in Clay

THE PEARTREE LANE

There's places in our village streets
Where I dearly loved to be
The round cross full o' stoney seats
At the Stable and the tree

820

The brown bleached Oaks they sit upon
Where the old Roll still remain
And still I love to walk alone
Down the Peartree Lane

The Elm trees o'er our Garden wall
How beautiful they grew
Where ring Doves from their nest would call
And the vein leaved Ivy grew
At the old house end while one hugh Elm
That turned a whole days rain
Storm roared as 'twould the town o'erwhelm
Twas shelter down the lane

The blacksmiths shed the Coblers shop
Chock holes and marble rings
By the Cross steps the spinning top
Are memorable things
The schoolboys love at morn and eve'
When spring comes in again
But nought can beat the primrose leaves
Down Peartrees dirty lane

There the Bumbarrel build[s] her nest
On early green white thorn
The Chaffinch shews her ruddy breast
O'er her Lichen nest at morn
The Mavis there at Christmas time
Begins his early strain
And dead Oak leaves though glazed i' rime
Look dear in Peartree Lane

The woodland stile the broken gap
And day lights peeping moon
Where red cloaked goody fills her lap
To boil the kettle soon

821

Anemonies peep through the hedge
Hedgesparrows find a strain
Theres nothing i' the world I pledge
Like dear old Peartree Lane

THE SWEETEST WOMAN THERE

From bank to bank the water roars Like thunder in a storm
A Sea in sight of both the shores Creating no alarm
The water birds above the flood fly o'er the foam and spray
And nature wears a gloomy hood On this October day

And there I saw a bonny maid That proved my hearts delight
All day she was a Goddess made An angel fair at night
We loved and in each others power Felt nothing to condemn
I was the leaf and she the flower And both grew on one stem

I loved her lip her cheek her eye She cheered my midnight gloom
A bonny rose neath Gods own sky In one perrenial bloom
She lives mid pastures evergreen And meadows ever fair
Each winter spring and summer scene The sweetest woman there

She lives among the meadow floods That foams and roars away
While fading hedge rows distant woods Fade off to naked spray
She lives to cherish and delight All nature with her face
She brought me joy morn noon and night In that low lonely place

822

I LOVE HER JUST THE SAME AS EVER

I love her just the same as ever Though now she looks above me
Had she done wrong I could forgive her And would for ever love her
And do I kiss thy cheek again The rose o the creation
Those lips that rubies vie in vain As sweet as a carnation

I wish I was some little flower Some flower she likes the best
She'd pluck me in the sunny hour And pin me to her breast
She'd pin me to her breast for love And I that love should be
O could I such a favour prove Choice were such love to me

A black cloak o'er her shoulders thrown Made of the finest silk
The neck and bosom sweetly shone As white as is new milk
I wish I was a little bird To please her with my song
I'd whistle tunes she's often heard And love all summer long

823

THE PRIMROSE PEEPS

The primrose peeps
Where green moss weeps
All under the Maple tree
When April weaves
The woods green leaves
Dear is the place to me

When Maria and me
Seek the mossy green tree
Scaring bees from the flowers as we go
Primrose and blue bell
And violet as well
That all o'er the Ivy ground grow

Maria was sweet
As the flowers neath her feet
The dead leaves were pleasantly stirred
As they fled from the shoe
Mid the blossoms and dew
Like the rustle and flight of a bird

The primrose peeps
And the green moss creeps
All under the Maple tree
Where Maria so warm
Is hung on my arm
And walking the woods wi' me

824

OH BONNY ANN WAS FAIR TO SEE

The pilewort through the meadow blazes The daisy blooms again
The green grass like a furnace blazes And clumps of snow remain
The foot paths that before me lay Showed darker green and brown
The sunny cots and steeples grey Looked pleasant up and down

The very cots a foliage yields Birds did the seasons sing
The villages were like the fields All wore the hues of spring
They did so when with heart consent Not meaning to trepan
I printed fields and brushed the bent A courting bonny Ann

O bonny Ann was fair to see And where grey willows wave
I met wi her and her wi me Where river waters lave
Where nature dwells wi nought to teaze And nothing to trepan
Among the grass and willow trees I met wi' bonny Ann

OH THE DAY IT WAS BLACK

O the day it was black when my love and I waited
And mournfully bellowed the wind
I kissed her in tears as she sobbed broken hearted
That I left her dear Cabin behind

825

But trod only o' reptiles that all the year bait me
As nought but a thorn on the brere
And pestered by friendships that silently hate me
I ventured my fortune to steer

I left my clay biggin twas close to the wild wood
Where the childern sought wild flowers and played the whole year
Where the robin and wren seemed as pleased as a child would
To hear Childers voices the bushes so near
I left all my childer at play neath the white thorn
The youngest for Acorn cups turned up her eyes
I turned back to reach one all wearied and blight worn
And kissed them all round and then bid her good by

The bright morning shot gold threads through green bushes
And spread in dark places bright patches o' gold
I left all the Songs o the black birds and thrushes
The goats o' the mountain the sheep by the fold
I went while the Ocean lay rolling before me
On the white foaming waves i' the Fleet to sojourn
And hope with her Anchor seemed lolling just o'er me
To bid me good luck and a speedy return

JUST NOW I MET A MAIDEN

Just now I met a maiden
With a bright and diamond eye
Trees wi' yellow leaves were laden
And cloudy was the sky

826

Where the cart horse daily trudges
And the cart goes rocking by
There I met a pretty maiden
Wi a bright and diamond eye

The birds had sung no matins
No lark was in the sky
When with an umberrella
She passed me on the way
And I never saw her fellow
For beauty till that day
On her cheeks ten thousand kisses lye
But none to take away

Her mouth was luscious loveliness
Half open with a smile
And Lady like her bonny dress
The Queen o' cherry Isle
O bright and bonny was the maid
Though gloomy was the day
To love her I was half afraid
Tho' brightly shone her eye

I feel it now a flood of joy
Steals o'er in memory's power
I felt it when I was a boy
Round this delightful flower
And now I live her dwelling near
The floods may rave and roar
I think I love her all the year
And shall for ever more

827

THE EVENING WAS LOVELY

The evening was lovely and littered wi dew
The points o' the thistle was knibbed wi a pearl
When I went i' the gloaming where bindweed bells grew
And talked to young Dinah a beautiful girl
O' bright were the ringlets adown her cheek glowing
And bright were her eyes as the dibbles o dew
That knobs all the spears o' the thistle flowers blowing
While hesperus shone like a lamp i' the blue

O' down i' the e'ening O' moon lighted gloaming
Among the big thistles so blooming and sweet
I the wild flowers and rush beds were both o' us roaming
While the stars shone above us like the Lamps i' the street
I' the hollow old Ash tree the Owl hooted loud
And whewed down the hedge like a spirit i' white
The Moon for a moment popt under a cloud
And I kissed her soft cheek like a joy out o sight

The restharrow trailed like small flowers o' the pea
And the dandy brow daisy like buttoned to green
On the thistle flower stone dead asleep was the bee
That cocked up his legs when our finger was near
The moon lay like candle light on the thorn leaves
The dew glittered pearls on the bents where they hing
And O' her white bosom delightfully heaves
While i' the wood riding the Night[in]gale[s] sing

828

AMELIA THOU MAID O' MY BOSOM

Amelia thou maid of my bosom come hither
The hedges are green and the day fit for wooing
Come e're the trees and the bushes all wither
By the old ivied Ash where the ring dove is cooing
For clear is the landscape and sweet is the weather
Wi' the leaves and the blossoms all covered wi' dew
Amelia there we will wander together
And crop the proud flowers i' fields we go through

Where the primrose it blooms by the mossy green thorn
And the Violet smells on the green mossy bank
And the writing lark lays by the path i the corn
And the hedge sparrows eggs where the bramble grows rank
As blue as the blue bell below the moss nest
Then come my Amelia as soon as sunrise
Gather primrose or violet as suiteth thee best
And take home the wild flowers as bright as thy eyes

Put on thy straw hat sweet Amelia and come
And throw on thy shawl yellow spotted and brown
We'll follow the Bee in its musical hum
And leave all beside i' the Cottage and Town
The butterfly waiting to court your new gown
The path for your footsteps shuns most of the dew
The old Ivied ash tree leans as if to fall down
And the birds morning music is waiting for you

829

IT IS LOVE!

It is love
Theres a mildness i' the air
The fields are green and fair
And sunbeams there
From above
There is singing o birds
There is bleating o' herds
Waters waving like curds
What is love
But the landscapes o' spring sunny green o' the grove
And the maid walking there Mary Dove

Is it love
To admire what God's sending
Charm on charm never ending
Ever varying unspending
Look above
Clouds rocks rough and ragged
Temples unhewed and jagged
Where currish man never begged
What is love
But nature and truth over ocean and grove
And that first boyish charm Mary Dove

It is love
While grass remains green
Mary Dove
And clouds sail in heaven above
And flowers come wi' spring you'll be love
Mary Dove
Burnet buttons growed dark in that hour
Purpled Fetch dangled on the thorn bower
And each little weed had a flower but love
In that little meadow like joys from above
Walks the poets young fancy the sweet Mary Dove

830

ADIEU TO GREEN MEADOWS

Adieu to the green meadows To the wild flowers blooming fair
Since Mary Morris left me I cant be happy there
Both stood to see the sun go down And river onward flow
But Mary's gone and left the Town And I know not where to go

I loved one Mary Morris At the bottom o' the glen
Then wild flower o' the forest She's half as sweet agen
Her hue upon the brere grew There's freckles near her chin
Her lips out shine the dear rose That smells so sweet within

Dull looks the meadows grasses Since Mary went away
Fairest o' country lasses And I wish her here to day
Now the beanfields are in blossom And the meadow sweet looks gay
I would lean upon her bosom And kiss all my cares away

MY SWEET BONNY ANN

Dear Anna the sweetest The world ever saw
Is thy face and completest Thy bosom and a'
Than lillies more white More red than the rose
Her eyes beaming brighter Than the fountain that flows

831

My sweet bonny Ann and Anna my dear
I will come if I can By the spring o' the year
I will come if I can At the end of the week
And love like a Man On thy beautiful cheek

My sweet bonny Ann And my dear bonny Ann
There's nothing worth living for Without bonny Ann
Full bosomed and bonny And ripe for a Man
And fairer than ony Is young bonny Ann

Her bosom shames lillies Her face rivals roses
Then daffadown dillys And other sweet posies
Words ever so striking On true loves own plan
Can't form a true likeness O' young bonny Ann

HELLEN BONNY HELLEN

O Hellen bonny Hellen why so coy
The spring is with us but thou art not here
It was but tother day I passed thy dwelling
And could not see thy dwelling anywhere

In every thicket where they've trees been felling
Where leafs the white thorn and where shoots the brere
Here swarm the brimstone primrose in moss dwelling
But silence answers Hellen is not here

The spring it is come and the primroses pale
Blaze through as they'd burn ye before ye get near
The hedgesparrows whistle i' the thorn i' the dale
But where art thou hiding sweet Hellen my dear

832

Hedgesparrows they whistle the hedges get green
And violets and primroses blossom again
I' thy soft flowing dresses my Hellen be seen
And we'll meet in old courtship on Meadow and plain

REMEMBER THEE LOVE? YES!

Remember thee love yes How can I forget [thee]
Since the very first hour that my happiness met thee
Remember thee love what the sword cannot sever
Is mine and mine only for ever and ever

Remember thee love yes I will love remember
From April to May and from June to December
The past and the present and hereafter to come
I'll remember them all for thy heart is my home

I'll think of thee love i' thy happiest smile
Till the sunbeams o' day leave the Night to our Isle
Till the end o' the world thou my darling shall prove
And the finish o' times the begining o' Love

'TWAS ON AN APRIL MORNING

Twas on an April morning
When the Cowslips were in blooming
And daisies banks adorning
And sunny beams illuming

833

I down the meadow rambled
And by the river strayed
Among white thorn and bush
Where I met a lovely maid

Right early i' the morning
Before the break o' day
When the crimson east was dawning
And the morning sky blue grey
I met a lovely Maiden
And singing on her way
With well scoured Milk pails laden
Just by the break o' day

The dew drops in the cowslips
Shone like some silver pearl
The bullrush like a bow dips
Reeds rustle near the girl
Who fills her pail wi' new milk
By the sandy spotted Cow
While she thinks a gown of blue silk
Would well become her now

Larks whistle round like lovers
Then drop into the grass
And pairs o' screaming Plovers
Swop round the lovely lass,
Purple dew the eve is bringing
The sun is sinking low
While the Maiden milketh singing
Her sandy spotted Cow

834

THE SHARP WIND SHIVERS

The sharp wind shivers in the warm gorse blossoms
And trembles in the dead grass o'er the heath
The silver rain pearls in the wild flowers bosoms
And moistens minute flowers of moss beneath
There i' the morning dew I early ramble
What time beneath the fern the weary moth
Hides from the sun in dew drops hangs the bramble
As down the rabbit track I venture forth

I wander like a sunbeam i' the green
Immortal harmony of natures love
Her music charms me as a thing unseen
And hopes emblazoned sunshine gleams above
Blooming Maria is the Maid I love
The rosey young and beautiful Maria
She sometimes meets me in the tangled grove
And by her beauty sets my soul on fire

The black cock hides his dwelling i' the gorse
Wi' curly tail red eyes and shining breast
Among the bracken feeds the weary horse
On the short sward then lays him down to rest
O rosey cheeked and beautiful Maria
The evening is not chill the heaven grey
Drops dew and beauty from all crowds retire
Then why from loves embraces keep away

835

ONE SUMMER SUNDAY MORNING

One summer Sunday morning The bells for Church did chime
Hedges the May adorning Just like some foreign clime
Where Emma was a walking By brooks that run so clear
And whispering reeds were talking Love stories in her ear

She loved the fields and closes And her eyes upon them cast
She loved the wild hedge roses And she pluckt one as she passed
She loved the whispering sedges Like her lovers voice to hear
And the May upon the hedges With the blackbirds singing clear

She loved them all so dearly Where I told a lovers tale
By the waters running clearly And the May bush i' the vale
The sky was full o' pale clouds And of wild flowers the hay
The willows waved like grey shrouds That happy Sabbath day

I loved her in beholding And kissed her cheek so sweet
And in my arms enfolding I felt her bosom beat
She seemed in no delemma And never heaved a sigh
Twas thus I courted Emma And I'll love her till I die

836

HOW BEAUTIFUL THE SUN WENT DOWN

How beautiful the sun went down And lovely shone the Moon
When I and Hannah left the town To wander forth alone
Her bonny face and shoulders broad Her feet made music too
When step by step along the road We wandered i' the dew

The white Owl like a stupid oaf Banged right against the tree
When I went out with Hannah Rolph The dew fields to see
The hedge rose hung wi' silver pearls That shone like polished glass
And round the Moon the light cloud curls And there they quickly pass

The little bird flew from its nest And feared the trampling foot
Where Hannah's footsteps lightly prest On shadows black as soot
Her gown it caught the arching brere That shook off drops o' dew
And blue cornbottles growing near Were black in moonlights hue

O' Hannah Rolphs a lovely girl Wi lily neck and shoulders broad
With rosey cheeks and teeth o' pearl Theres no such blossoms ever bloomed
Beneath the round Moons mellow light My arm around her neck I threw
And kissed her cheek her eye shone bright While courting Hannah i the dew

837

THE CROW SAT ON THE WILLOW

The crow sat on the willow tree
A lifting up his wings
And glossy was his coat to see
And loud the ploughman sings
I love my love because I know
The milkmaid she loves me
And hoarsely croaked the glossy crow
Upon the willow Tree
I love my love the ploughman sung
And all the field wi' music rung

I love my love a bonny lass
She keeps her pails so bright
And blythe she t[r]ips the dewy grass
At morning and at night
A cotton drab her morning gown
Her face was rosey health
She traced the pastures up and down
And nature was her wealth
He sung and turned each furrow down
His sweethearts love in cotton gown

My love is young and handsome
As any in the Town
She's worth a ploughmans ransom
In the drab cotton gown
He sung and turned his furrows o'er
And urged his Team along
While on the willow as before
The old crow croaked his song
The ploughman sung his rustic Lay
And sung of Phebe all the day

838

The crow was in love no doubt
And wi a many things
The ploughman finished many a bout
And lustily he sings
My love she is a milking maid
Wi' red and rosey cheek
O' cotton drab her gown was made
I loved her many a week
His milking maid the ploughman sung
Till all the fields around him rung

OH COMELY IS THE ROSY BRERE

O' comely is the rosey brere That blooms among the thorns
And bonny are the dew drops bright earlily at morn
And bonny is the primrose bush tender the white thorn green
And bonny is the woodbine tree i' the dewy hour o e'en
That blossoms i' the moonlight close by the thrushes nest
And I will pluck a choice one for Peggys bonny breast
Peggy Stapleton is sweeter than woodbines e'er can be
And sweeter at the evening hour is Peggys walk wi me

When oer the level meadow the sinking sun has set
And round the Village cross the ploughmen they are met
When the sparrows gone to bed and the Crow is on her nest
And the Baby it is sleeping upon the Mothers breast
When the hens are gone to roost And the Cows are at their lair
Neath the homesteads spreading ash trees and pleasant places there
I wander out alone when the stars look in the tree
And bonny Peggy Stapleton goes walking wi' me

839

I meet my Peggy there while the Lark flew from the grass
Wi' my arm about her Aprons strings I kissed the bonny lass
I kissed her on the chin and I kissed her on the cheek
And we walked about the meadow till the moon was fit to speak
Young Peggys neck was white as the water running clear
But her cheek it burnt the colour o' the rose upon the brere
And beautiful at dewy Eve the spreading dark oak tree
While the moon is looking through and Peggy courting me

IN THE FIELD—

In the field where the Nettle burdock and Sowthistles
Ramp up by the hovel where builds the small wren
When summer winds rustle and winter storms whistle
I gang over a Week to meet Katey agen
I'm all over eager on fine Sunday mornings
To seek the old shed on the path beaten track
And I lose both my shoe strings the weeds and the corn in
Every day seems a twelve month e'er Sunday comes back

I love at my labour each bunch o' keen nettles
That grow where I work as the finest o' flowers
I love Kate begrimed with her black pots and kettles
And kiss her sweet face i' the shed at all hours
The milky sowthistles their pale tops I kiss
The burdocks broad leaves are my summers delight
For the good natured prickle burs Katey cant miss
They stick to her stockings both morning and night

Before me she takes up her gown in my sight
To pull the inquisitive creepers away
Her calf is so large and her stockings so white
I do nought but worship the rest o the day

840

O' sweet bonny Katey what maiden's so fair
The sun stoops to westward the clouds come wi' night
These wind shaken cowslips I'll leave and repair
To the shed and court Katey my joy and delight

OH COME TO MY ARMS

O' come to my arms i' the cool o' the day
When the veil o' the evening falls dewy and grey
O' come to me under the awthorn green
When eventide falls i' the bushes serene

O come to me under the awthorn tree
When the lark's on his nest and gone bed is the bee
When the veil of the evening falls dark on the scene
And we'll kiss love and court i' the bushes so green

O come to me dear wi' thy own Maiden head
Where the wild flowers and rushes shall make thee a bed
We will lye down together in each others arms
Where the white Moth flirts by not give us alarms

Where the rush bushes bend and are silvered wi' dew
Ere the sunbeam the red cloud O' morning breaks through
Thy face is so sweet and thy neck is so fair
O' come at eve dearest and live with me there

841

IN GREEN GRASSY PLACES

In the white thorn hedges the blackbird sings
Where the hedgesparrow flutters his dirty brown wings
And the skylark he trembles above the green wheat
While the thrush in the spinny is singing so sweet
So come lovely Susan we'll walk i' the fields
And meet all the pleasures the lovely spring yields
For of all the gay lasses sweet Susan I see
There's none that I fancy my sweetheart but thee

So come my dear Susan and where the thrush sings
The primrose and violets the earliest springs
The Chaffinch is building his nest on the brere
And the bottle tit hangs up his pudding bag near
I' the ribs o the hedge the hedgesparrow builds
And the brown o' his feathers the morning sun gilds
I long my dear Susan to walk out wi thee
In green grassy places thy sweetheart to be

We'll walk where the barley is hiding the clod
We'll walk where the daisy blooms stars on the sod
Where the Herrinshaw builds in the flags by the streams
There Susan we'll loiter in green summer dreams
By the side o' the river running like glass
We'll seek early cowslips that quake i' the grass
And there bonny Susan I'll love you so true
And kiss you and court you and ne'er bid adieu

842

IT WAS A PLEASANT EVENING

It was a pleasant Evening the bee had gone to rest
I' the bosom of the dogrose the sun sunk in the West
And left in Western heaven its own refulgent dye
Pink as Dianas Nipples blue as Urana's eye
And white as Phebe's bosom are the snow banks o' the West
All littered wi' blue violets i' the Mansions o the West
Where womans thoughts reposes in her childhood with her Child
And never was the Evening so beautiful and mild

The broom flower was as yellow as a new found rock o' Gold
And the evening gloamed as mellow as my eyes did e'er behold
The Mountains a' looked golden up to their very tops
And some went in the blue so far as if they wanted props
The dew more clear than silver 'gan to glitter on a' things
To heather flowers and broom like beads o' pearl in strings
It was a lovely evening ever speckled with the dew
The Earth was of a' colours the sky was gold and blue

And lovely was the Maiden encircled in my arms
Her heart was beating rarely i' the warmth o' loves alarms
Her face was like the heather and Inky black her hair
And whiter than the lily was her bonny bosom bare
I held [her] in my arms and I kissed her in the broom
And beautiful carnations red upon her cheeks did come
I kissed her i' the green broom i' extacys delight
Then went home to her Cottage and kissed [her] a' the night

843

COY MAIDENS O' DRYSAIL

Coy Maidens o' Drysail bonny Girls o' Buckhiven
Young beauty's o' Largo bonny Lasses o' Leven
I loved them the gether I loved one alone
And the rest followed with her Else I'd made her my own

Nay stop there auld Sodger Yo're nae kin o' her kind
She belongs to young Rodger our Shepherd—sae mind
Her voice shouted Rodger like throwing a stone
Sae gae on oud Sodger and let her alane

The voice it gaed through me like throwing a stone
And sair did it rue me knocking at my breast bone
Gae awa' wi' yer Rodger young Man do I see
If you'r then auld Sodger you may march on wi' me

Sae I went with the Maiden over heath and o'er plain
And when Sunday was come too I saw her again
I saw her and courted the sun from the West
And left my last kiss on the mole of her breast

I kissed and were married and bed[d]ed and a'
And the auld Kirk at Upton the green Wedding saw
For the grass it was green and our years was the same
And frae morning to E'en Nane ca'd us to blame

844

THE SPRING COMES AGAIN LOVE

When spring comes again love
Bringing green to the tree
And May down the lane love
Smells sweetly o' thee
Wilt thou remember then
Of us both standing here now
And come to the road glen
And look at the brere bough

And think what we've spoken
And love the oath taken
Let this be the token
And love's not forsaken
Here the hedge brere reposes
Where manhood in glee
Cropt the finest hedge roses
Dew sprinkled for thee

Years have faded since then
As many will do
Ere I stand here agen
To be talking with you
Every leaf i' this place
Wears a love all its own
Since I've gazed on thy face
To the vulgar unknown

The sattin flowered mallow
Was blossoming nigh
Where I kissed while the swallow
Came swimming fast by
The white thorn and hedge brere
And the bramble flower too
Smile when I pass here
And remind me of you

845

THE PEASANT POET

He loved the brook's soft sound
The swallow swimming by
He loved the daisy covered ground
The cloud bedappled sky
To him the dismal storm appeared
The very voice of God
And where the Evening rock was reared
Stood Moses with his rod
And every thing his eyes surveyed
The insects I' the brake
Where Creatures God almighty made
He loved them for his sake
A silent man in lifes affairs
A thinker from a Boy
A Peasant in his daily cares—
The Poet in his joy

AND MUST WE PART?

And must we part that once so close
And fond where knit together
Loves buds betorn by wonton force
The flowers for summer weather

846

And must my happy thoughts decay
And summer blossoms wither
The hope that cheered me many a day
Must now belong to neither

Yet still the Cottage chimney smokes
Beneath the spreading walnut
Though heeded not by other folks
There evil can no gall put
Green grass there looks never cold
'Sward daisies none looks whiter
The willow leaves fall off like gold
In autumn and look brighter

To Bessey I'll not say farewell
Nor trouble feel at parting
I'll love the Cottage where ye dwell
And feel one truth as certain
For natures self will dwell wi' me
To charm all sorts o' weather
And love and truth will still agree
And leave us both together

THEN SHALL WE MEET AGAIN

How many times spring blossoms meek
Hath faded on the land
Since last I kissed that pretty cheek
And pressed that happy hand

847

Eight times the greens been painted white
With daisy's i' the grass
Since I looked on thy eyes so bright
And pressed my bonny lass

The ground lark sung about the Farms
The blackbird i' the Wood
When fast locked in each others arms
By hedge row thorn we stood
It was a pleasant Sabbath day
The sun shone bright and round
That through the dark Oakes threaded lay
Like gold upon the ground

How beautiful the black bird sung
And answered by the thrush
And sweet the pearl like dew drops hung
Upon the white thorn bush
O happy day—eight years ago
We parted without pain
The blackbird sings primroses blow
When shall we meet again

WE PASSED BY GREEN CLOSES

The path crossed green closes and went down the lane
Where the black snail reposes and the slime marks remain
The hook prickle bramble Arch's over the grass
And tears in her ramble The gown o' the Lass

848

The Wind in her ribbons green Wantoned and played
And danced round as they'd been i' love wi' the maid
Fine straw was her bonnet her cheek was the rose
Passing bee settled on it by mistake I suppose

Blue skippers in sunny hours open and shut
Where wormwood and grunsel flowers by the cart ruts
Where bees while birds whistle Sing all the lane down
And passes the thistle For the flowers on her gown

The footpath all noon day We paced i' the lane
The day it was Sunday The bells rung again
The bay Mare was snorting Beside of her foal
Love from that days courting Burns my heart to a coal

THEE AND THEE ONLY

About thee and of thee and nothing but thee
I'm dreaming and thinking of all the long day
I look through the bushes thy cottage sees me
But thou art for ever and ever away
Of thee and about thee and nothing but thee
I'm dreaming and thinking from morning till e'en'
I look through the bushes but where can she be
I see nought but pigs and some hens on the green

About thee and of thee aye nothing but thee
I'm dreaming and thinking 'on't day after day
I look o'er the hedge rows but where can she be
The lane's lost in brambles when Susan's away

849

Of thee and thee only none other but thee
I dream of awaken and think of asleep
From morning till starlight there's nothing I see
But the bushes and grain that in silver dews weep

Of thee and thee only and nothing but thee
I'm dreaming and thinking of all the day long
I look o'er the meadows and where can she be
And in solitudes silence I method the song
Thee and thee only I listen to love
As the swallow fly's swift o'er the green grassy Lea
While the broad pollard Oak holds the nest o the Dove
I love thee and thee only none other but thee

MY LOVED ONE MY OWN

By the Moon and Star light in
By the still of midnight in
Which waiseys delight in
I love thee alone
I love thee my dearest
With feelings sincerest
Farthest off thou'rt the nearest
My loved one my own

850

True love canna cheat me
Falsehood canna beat me
Yet Mary love meet me
I'm sad and alone
The day's full o' lying
But the last light is dying
And o'er the west flying
There thou still art my own

The night wind is born brief
Ladybirds i' green corn sleep
The dews on the thorn leaf
Dearest meet for I'm lone
I'm lone love and weary
Where the hazels hang near thee
O come love and cheer me
And make me thy own

WHERE THE HAZELS HING LOVE

Where the hazels hing love
Oer the Siller spring love
And their shadows fling love
O'er the mossy spring love beneath the Old Oak tree
Where the woodbines bloom so sweetly young lassie sit wi me

I' the summers sunny weather
There we'll sit and love together
Where cares no longer tether
Beside the little spring love beneath the Old Oak tree
Lucy my dearest creature come and share the day wi me

851

We'll gather ripe strawberries
More red than ripest Cherries
Where high the brown hawk herries
As if he'd gone to sleep i the marble coloured sky's
Neer stirring wing or feather but still as a stone lies

Nature never wants to cheat love
When truth in green woods meet love
There seek wood strawberry fruit love
Where the woodbrook moists the mossy roots of old Oak tree
There Lucy chuse thyself a seat and charm the world fre me

REMEMBER DEAR MARY

Remember dear Mary love cannot deceive
Loves truth cannot vary dear Mary believe
You may hear and believe it believe it and hear
Love could not deceive it those features so dear
Believe me dear Mary to press thy soft hand
Is sweeter than riches in houses and Land

Where I pressed thy soft hand at the dew fall o' eve
I felt the sweet tremble that cannot deceive
If love you believe in Belief is my love
As it lived once in Eden ere we fell from above
To this heartless this friendless this desolate earth
And kept in first love Immortality's birth

852

T'is there we last met I adore thee and love thee
There's nothing beneath thee around thee above thee
I feel it and know it I know so and feel
If your love cannot shew it mine cannot conceal
But knowing I love I feel and adore
And the more I behold—only love thee the more

CAN YE LOVE MY DEAR LASSIE

Can you love my dear lassie the hills o' wild thyme
Where I made a Ballad in true lovers rhyme
Do you love the wild Common that neer was in furrow
Where I courted you truly to wed you tomorrow

Do ye love the win bushes my ain bonny Bessey
Where the rude scenes o' nature still keeps her ain dress
Do ye love the wild Common where first I loved thee
Then come bonny Bess and gae walking wi me

Where the wheat-ear is building her nes[t] i' the gorse
Where the orchis is blooming over beds o' green moss
And the Rabbit and Pheasant are bob[b]ing about
Like fond lovers secrets that dare not come out

Do ye love the old heath love where I was but thine
Then let us go there love and thou art still mine
The rest-harrow whin bush are still growing there
Wet the heath wi' thy courting eye reckoned so fair

853

Bessy thy smile is as sweet as the past
And truth love can make it eternally last
Do ye love the wild brere and routine has been
Then Bessey love keeps it eternally green

MARY O THE WEST

The gouden clouds o'er westling sky's Where the retireing day
On goud and crimson cushions lies While a' the east is grey
Grey with the dewy fa' o' e'en That pearls the earths green breast
How beautiful the sky is seen O'er Mary o' the West

She lives beneath yon dappled sky And goud and siller clouds
Where dark blue mountains pileing lye And night in e'ening shrouds
I wonder as I often do If fields o' blossomed thorn
Are seen by foreign Marys eye As here both e'en and morn

If so we both are gazeing now Upon the self same things
The daisy sward the may bush bough The clouds o' gouden wings
And shoud the self same thoughts as mine Now fill her snowy breast
I shoud in these soft moments join Sweet Mary o' the West

854

To lean upon her snowy breast Where sea waves gently swirl
And kiss her neck for sweeter rest Where inky ringlets curl
I kiss her lip sae Cherry ripe With soft endearments blest
Nip her white hand with gentle gripe Sweet Mary o' the West

I PULL'D A WILD ROSE FRA THE BRERE

I pulled a wild rose frae the Brere
A May bunch frae the white thorn tree
And thought how sweet the blooming year
And fondly Mary thought o' thee
I thought upon thy pouting lip
The brightness o thy beaming eye
As red as was the autumn hip
As bright as is the may day sky
I pulled a hedge rose frae the tree
And fondly Mary thought o' thee

I thought o' summer days as fine
I thought o' summer eves as fair
When no two eyes save thine and mine
Saw those gold islands gleaming there
I think I see the Wild white rose
So loved that pleasant eve by thee
The sunny West as firey glows
Does absent Mary think o' me
The wild hedge rose is on the brere
When I loved absent Mary dear

Here where I pledged my heart to thine
Here in rapture kissed thy cheek
Here cowslip blooms as usual shine
With just the self same ruddy streak

855

Sweet Mary every thing is here
The seasons gone could please thee well
The white thorn May the blooming brere
And here the light o' e'ening dwells
Where we stood in the world alone
And I made Mary's heart my own

BONNY MARY LET US GO

Bonny Mary let us go O'er the hills of gorse and heather
Where the little harebells grow In the summers sultry weather
Where the rabbit and the hare Timid feed and hide together
Mary let us wander there O'er the hills among the heather

There the sun still rises fine O'er the golden gorse and heather
There the sunsets are divine In the summers sultry weather
See the spinners lace work shine On the bents among the heather
On the gorse from spine to spine Beaded with the dewy weather

Bonny Mary let us go o'er the wheat fields far away
Where rest harrow blossoms grow And arching brambles spread dismay
Not dismay to thee and me For there's space to walk between
There blooms o' summer scenery And half the winter linger green

856

Dark gown and petticoat so white In hat o' straw and ribbons gay
Laced cap o'er inky curls sae bright That glitters like the milky way
Bonny Mary hither come We'll walk and sit amang the heather
The wild heath is our dearest home Where we can talk and love together

The wheat ear on the whitethorn cheeping The furze lark whisling by her nest
The adder in the crimped brake sleeping But on the short sward we can rest
And see the dappled herd graze round us Quiet in the sultry weather
While the shade of e've surround us On the heath of gorse and heather

‘A WIMPERING BROOK’

A whimpering brook beside the path
A shady stile to cross the way
And many a hay and clover swarth
Scenting sweet the summers day
There Lucy at the shut of e've
Will wander oer the grassy way
The Village cares and labour leave
Where rows of Willows waver grey

857

The white moth flits upon the wing
The bat has left the willow tree
In brook banks chittering crickets sing
Come Lucy dear and walk with me
We'll meet where cooling gales soft night
That flutters round the bladed wheat
As if a bird had taken flight
Or timid Leveret left his seat

The unseen shower of falling dew
Shall sprint the roses on thy face
While distant we the old oak view
Still standing in its ancient place
Come Lucy meet the evening hour
Across cornfield and grassy path
The scented bean fields are in flower
And sweetly smells the new mown swath

The unseen shower of falling dew
How sweet we meet its fall at eve
When every thing perks up anew
And fancy pleasing visions w[e] ave
Its eve song us the cricket sung
Snug in its moss nest sleeps the bee
The ground lark broods on eggs and young
Come Lucy wander out with me

858

‘THE LADY O THE WEST’

In the mountains o the West
Lives the girl I love best
With her red rose cheeks and her coal black hair
Her face is like the rose and her breast the lily fair
In the mountains o the west lives the girl I love the best
O there's nothing half so sweet as Love and fair

In the lands not made of clay
Where the sun neer sets away
But shineth through the midnight bright and fair
I love the lassie best wi' the bright auburn hair
And she liveth in the land that knoweth no decay
And the maid I love the best is for ever bright and fair

The birds big on the clouds in that eternal land
Jewels and siller are they a' and gouden is the sand
The sun is one vast world of fire that burneth a' to clay
And night wi' hells o' darkness for ever keeps away
And dearly I love the green o' that bright land
The lily flower o' woman that meeteth no decay

Her eyes are springs o' light
And the blue veins in the white
Of her bosom map love there
For ever bright and ever fair
How beautiful she seems to mortal sight
The white robed Maiden with the auburn hair

859

And lips of amarinth and eyes of light
And cheeks the rose of heaven as bright
Angel of heaven Maiden o the west
She is the Maiden that I love the best
Her very eyes are suns o' living light
And dear I love the lady o the west

[By mud pools see a gnat striped nameless flye]

By mud pools see a gnat striped nameless flye
Two hairs for tail all on one end sail by
The sprinkling rain blotches the thirsty dust
And makes the little insects hung out of sight
As if their little feet were scalded by 't

‘THE WIND SOTHERS SOFTLY’

The wind suthers softly Among the green bushes
Where the wing leafed ash Hides a nest of song thrushes
The Elms green was darker The Ash shaded paler
Where I walked wi my true love And nothing did ail her

860

Her cheeks was the wild rose She was bonny and fat
And rainbow the ribbon On her bonny straw hat
The Elm strake was darkest The Ash trees more pale
And bonny the white thorn Shook by the gale

To and fro flew the Chaffinch Busy feeding her young
Th'spotted thrush on her blue eggs Sat brooding long
Where I went with young Dinah So bonny and fat
With the hues of the rainbow Around her straw hat

‘I LOVE THE FLOWERS O SPRING’

The Pilewort and the daisy's I love to see them come
In sunshine and green place[s] Where Children play at home
Round cow sheds i' the homesteads Beneath the Orchard trees
The double grow on some beds The wild upon the leas

They plant the double daisies The single set themselves
I home close pilewort blazes Among the Cocks and hens
And I'll gang out wi' Bessey To the bottom o' the lane
Where the water rins sae glassy And the frogs come out again

I love the flowers o' spring days Those little bits o' bloom
For they to Children bring plays And happy thoughts to come
Go Bessey seek thy bonnet And wanner out wi me
The sun looks warm upon it Our happy Meadow Lea

861

‘BONNY DARK EYED SUSAN’

The woodbine in the hedge row smells beautiful o' thee
I always love the treling flower but thou 'rt more dear to me
When ere I see thee coming o'er the mornings misty dew
With thy coats held to thy anckles while pewets oer thee flew
While the hooks upon the bramble and the spines upon the brere
Hung dewy drops like pearls upon a Lady's ear
The woodbines in the hedge row are nothing near so sweet
As are the lips o' Susan when we at even meet

O Susan lovely Susan how sweet you are to me
When woodbines on the dewy hedge smell all o' love and thee
O'er the path the Barley now hangs his dewy beard
I the hazel and the awthorn the Nightingale is heard
Round hemlock flowers and kecksies fly's many a painted moth
The Owl hoots from the Ivy tree the Moon is shining forth
Wi' Susan in my arms neath the grey willow tree
By the Moon light river side how happy I should be

Sweeter than o'er hanging branch o' crimson threaded May
Is bonny dark eyed Susan upon her evening way
Or beds o' purple Violets on green silk mosses prest
She stoops a down to gather them and place them in her breast
Breast softer far than eider down and whiter far than snow
Or clumps o' pure white violets that under hedges grow
O Susan is the sweetest girl that eyes did ever see
When she comes down by the bramble hedge at close o' day to me

862

‘BONNY RACHEL HIVES’

O bonny is the bloom o' the rose on the brere
And sweeter is the rose on the cheek o' my dear
And sweet is the scent O' the bonny woodbine
But sweeter is the breath O' those bonny lips o' thine
And bright on the clover leaf look the siller drops o' dew
But brighter still the dew o love in Rachaels eyes o' blue
I have looked on every flower and leaf that natures love contrive[s]
But never found a bonny thing to equal Rachael Hives

She's fairer than the hedge rose upon the bonny brere
And sweeter than the woodbine that climbs in blossom near
Her cheeks are warmer hued and sweeter are her lips
Than the honey which the hay bee from every blossom sips
And brighter [than] the dew drop oer the thorn and the brere
Is the rich light o' the eye o' bonny Rachael dear
If nature ever [kiss her] maugre sweethearts and Wives
She never kissed a whiter breast than bonny Racl. Hives

O bonny Rachael Hives shes the Angel o' my heart
As the blossom to the leaf and I hope we'll never part
As the inside o' the rose as the honey to the bee
Just so is Rachael Hives and her pretty face to me
The dewy night o dawn when the night bird's singing stops
The sattin bells o' morning pearled round wi siller drops
And all the purest ornaments that natures love contrives
Are nothing half so warm and true as bonny Rachael Hives

863

‘I'VE GOT AN OLD CRUMMACHING COW’

I've got an ould crimmocking Cow
And a Dairy for butter I ween
Three hens that lays eggs just enow
To boil one for Roger at een
A rusty flick hangs i' the neuk
All sooty and salt to the bone
A Frying pan ready to cook
When Roger comes courting alone

For Roger's a handsome young Man
And I am his sweetheart Kate
I give him a kiss when I can
And spend a few hours at the gate
When the sparrows go bed in the eves
And to roost goes the three speckled hens
I turn down my cotton drab sleeves
And go to kiss Roger agen

He lovs me for dearly I ken
And kisses my cheek on his breast
And dearly I love him my sen
While in his fond arms I am prest
The bee seeks the hole i' the wall
In the eves the ould sparrows go bed
To night Roger sed he would call
And fix on the day we should wed

864

‘OH BONNY JANE IS HANDSOME’

How lovely is the wild rose when dripping wi the rain
How handsome is the golden eye its petal shade wi' in
And the sweet briars bonny bush ever smells as sweet again
When the Shepherd and the Ploughman get wet to the skin
The dimples on the water the rings and bub[b]les too
The rings are on the Ponds and the drops are on the pane
But the tender Maidens blush & the roses inward hue
Are on the face o' modesty the cheeks o' bonny Jane

O' bonny Jane is handsome and bonny Jane is fair
As the lily and the columbine and rose on the brere
White is her snowy breast and bonny brown her hair
And her eye is a[s] bright as the burnie running clear
And the innerside the white rose her cheeks Maiden hue
As fair is her bonny face and half as fair again
The Kingcup gilded by the sun the heath bells beaded dew
Are nothing half so handsome and beautiful as Jane

How beautiful the lanscape When daisies gin to blow
And litter o'er the green sod siller sheets o snow
How beautiful the sun when it gleams upon the grass
Like glints upon the water or light i' looking glass
How bonny blooms the hedge rose wi' its golden threads inside
Just as it bloomed upon the day when Jennie was the Bride
And years thats come athwart us have never made us twain
So still a bride with knot untied is handsome bonny Jane

865

‘HOW SWEET SINGS THE THRUSH’

How sweet sings the thrush i' the mornings o' March
I' white thorns bonny bush or the thickets o' Larch
O the thrush is a sweet bird and sweetly sings he
Where Phebe gangs milking beneath the aik tree

O Phebe is bonny and Phebe is fat
And fair as blue ribbons upon her straw hat
The hive Bee is humming in mornings o rime
While Phebe brings summer and flowers in their prime

How sweet the thrush sings on the Sycamore tree
And his song Robin brings where I come to court thee
Where I court in sweet kisses my Phebe dear
Red Robin ne'er misses to sing the whole year

‘THE MILKING MAID’

How sweet the winds o' evening comes through the ash tree bough[s]
How sweet the Milkmaids soothing voice is calling up her cows
The bat is wheeling round the Oak the white moth round the thorn
And the lark is dropping to her nest i' the outside lands o corn

866

The blue haze deepens wi' the green the sun sets i' the gap
The blue lift is the selfsame hue o Besseys bonny cap
As she sits singing to herself upon her milking stool
Beneath the oaks and willows by the old Pond i' the cool

O bonny is the milkmaid that sings beneath the shade
O lovely is the wild rose cheek o' the bonny milking maid
Her eyes turn on the cowslips so lovely to behold
She thinks them like her ear rings rich pendant drops o Gold
The Lilys o the valleys and you might fill a peck
Is not so white as underneath her kerchief is her neck
The daisy's and the pileworts they make a garden show
Where the Maiden sits a milking by the thorn tree white as snow

What time beneath its crimson bank the Orange setting sun
Sinks in the world o' spirits and leaves the earth i' dun
The happy milking maiden wi her well scoured milking Pail
Goes tripping down the Village street and singing down the Vale
The pendant golden cowslips keep tapping at her gown
She's minding where to set her feet and winna break them down
And I'll bestir myself and my hoe I'll strive to hide
And gang to meet the milking maid down our burn side

‘THE BONNY GIPSEY’

The beautiful Maria is a bonny Gipsey girl
Her cheeks are like June roses and her teeth are like the pearl
Her hair is hazel brown and her eye the Violet hue
And my bonny young Maria sleeps in the nightly dew

867

And I would gie her chains o' gold all set wi studs o pearl
For nothing but to win the love o the bonny gipsey girl

She is the bonny gipsey and the fairest maid to me
And sweeter than the May flower upon the awthorn tree
And on the cowslip green by the bonny hedge row side
In her cozey blanket camp sweet Maria will abide
While on the oak tree bough the woodbine blossoms curl
And dearly in my heart do I love the gipsey girl

Tanned with the summer sunshine she's like the berry brown
Yet true love fancy's none so fair that dwell in any town
Her eyes more bright than dew drops when morns sun glitters through
Her lips more red than coral that in the Ocean grew
Sweet as the wild hedge rose and the woodbines fragrant curl
Where she camps beneath their shadows is the bonny gipsey girl

The beautiful Maria she can chuse a pleasant seat
Where wild thyme clothes the bank and summer winds blow sweet
She can sit beneath the May bush and feel herself as fair
While she thinks upon the gipsey lad for ever absent there

‘SHE WAS A FAIR AND BONNY GIRL’

I met my love one Sunday e'en And lovely was the weather
After nine Moons we had parted been That found us both together
And pleasant was the kiss I met And after that another
And then I kissed quite [out] of debt And made her owe another

868

She was a fair and bonny girl Scarce ony seemed as fairer
Her rosey cheeks her teeth were pearl I tried to win and wear her
Her hat of straw was gay to see And gay the ribbons too
Her very gown delighted me Her ribbons they were blue

I wish I was what I have been A sweetheart by her side
Among the awthorn bushes green down by the pasture side
I wish I was the favoured Man And she the maid to hear
I'd try to please her all I can And love her all the year

I'd clasp my arms her middle round And thumb and finger span
And do all things above the ground Thats possible for Man
I'd kiss her cheeks I'd kiss her chin And love but her alone
If I by any means could win The Maiden for my own

‘I LOVE THE MOSSY FOUNTAIN’

I love the mossy fountain
And the primrose by its brim
Where the silty sand keeps mounting
And the weeds with wet are dim
When hot suns drys ground starker
And morn sheds pearls o' dew
Where I sat with Mary Darker
A Maiden fair and true

869

Her bonny white straw bonnet
Was sweet and fair to see
While flowered ribbons danced upon it
Like the princy feathered tree
Half boots her ancles hideing
The calves swelled from their tops
Spite o' her muttered chideing
The traveller nearly stops

Admiring without mention
The beautys they display
Till blushes chides attention
And bids him walk away
Her bonny neck's the lily white
Her cheeks the province rose
She's fair in every body's sight
And sweet her drapery flows

I love the fountains mossy brim
Half hid in white thorn bushes
Where splashings make the primrose dim
As from the hill it gushes
When Eve brought roses i the West
And ground from heat got starker
There I lay on the bonny breast
Of lovely Mary Darker

870

‘SWEET MARY OGILVIE’

Fairer the gales o' the morning
When dew drops deck the thorn
Fairer then the adorning
The unbarred gates of morn
Where rose and lily blending
In Valleys silver white
As morn it was descending
I' heavens excess o' light
Thy eyes they are the diamond bright
Thy cheeks the red rose tree
There's nought so sweet i' mornings light
As is Mary Ogilvie

As the sun in the sky shineing on
Enlivening the blue it is smiling upon
As the pearls o the morning the springs o' the year
On primroses sprinkled
Than diamonds more clear
Love's even more sweeter
Than ought can suppose
To clasp her and greet her
With cheeks like the rose
O chuse me my darling
Thy sweetheart to be
And I will for ever and ever love thee

Dearly trills the little spring
Under the white thorn bush
And sweetly there the blackbird sings
And sweeter sings the thrush

871

And sweetly there the violet blooms
All in its purple hood
And sweetly there the primrose comes
All sprinkled wi' the flood
O' come my bonny Mary come
Beneath the Awthorn tree
And crop their blue and yellow blooms
Sweet Mary Ogilvie

LINES ON ‘COWPER’

Cowper the Poet of the field
Who found the muse on common ground
The homesteads that each Cottage shields
He loved and made them Classic ground

The lonely house the rural walk
He sang so musically true
E'en now they share the peoples talk
Who love the poet Cowper too

Who has not read the ‘Winter storm’
And does not feel the fallen snow
And Woodmen keeping noses warm
With pipes where ever Forests grow

In France in Germany and Spain
The same delightful pictures show
The Cowpers ‘Woodmens’ seen again
And Lurchers tracking thro the snow

872

The ‘Winters walk’ and ‘Summers Noon’
We meet together by the fire
And think the ‘walks’ are o'er too soon
When books are read and we retire

Who travels o'er those sweet fields now
And brings not Cowper to his mind
Birds sing his name on every bough
Nature repeats it in the wind

And every place the Poet trod
And every place the Poet sung
Are like the holy land of God
In every Mouth on every tongue

‘BEAUTY SO DIVINE’

I've seen the river flowing
Through banks of Verdant green
I've seen the cornfields growing
And happy have I been
But dress so neat and Maid so sweet
And beauty so divine
Beauty so rare and face so fair
There's nothing equals thine

Thou'rt sweeter than the river flowing
Fairer than blossoms by its side
Thou'rt dearer than green corn a growing
Will Mary be my bonny bride

873

Thy skin so white thy eye so bright
Thy ringlets how they shine
Venus may be as fair as thee
Theres nothing so divine

Thy hair like the dark river flowing
Thy face the brere rose by its side
Thy love as dear as corn a growing
Sweet Mary be my bonny bride
In these green meads and flags and reeds
Thy lovely face would seem divine
Beauty may rove the willow grove
But nothing equals thine

[Of thee I keep dreaming still thee]

Of thee I keep dreaming still thee
None other delighteth my eye
In thy presence I ever could be
Thy smiles are the birth of my joy
I think upon thee bonny Susan
All the week & each long summers day
Thou'rt the maiden of nature's own chusing
The pleasantest blossom of May

I think upon thee bonny Susan
When the wild flowers open at spring
The fairest among them Im chusing
And the face o' my Susan they bring

874

Thou'rt one o' the fairest & dearest
Wild flowers gleaming bright with the dews on
I look & thou'rt always the truest
Wild flowers are the image of Susan

[I've waited long lonely but hither she comes]

I've waited long lonely but hither she comes
Where the fox glove blooms & the wild bee hums
Where the spinning Fly twirls at the Fox glove bell
And darts like a shot at the place none can tell
Hither she comes to the green wood leaves
Where the Lady bird creeps and flys all the day long
And the nightingales ever a singing her song

Come here my beloved and sit by my side
In thy green cotton gown & black apron beside
While the sun beams o' light like threadings of gold
Streaks through the green bushes most sweet to behold
While the Jenny wren pops from the bushes o' gorse
Where her nest is lapt up a green bundle o' moss
Come here my young fair one and sit thyself down

[She is a sweet and bonny thing]

She is a sweet and bonny thing
Not older than fifteen
Though old enough to wear a ring
But not the maidens gaudy thing

875

Could I but know the thoughts of her
In abscence all the day
As men tell money by the chink
I'd then know what to say

I love to see her gown of green
Her breast of fairest clay
Her thoughts are purity within
Like th'pink inside o' may
And frae the ancle to the shin
She's like a bunch o' flowers
Lovely without & fair within
Like summers choices hours

White as the white moss rose her skin
As dew drops bright her eye
She's like a lily cap within
And fair to every eye
Her ruby lips are bonny red
That never fade to pale
I think to day what love has said
To morrow may prevail

876

[The Even comes & the Crow flies low]

The Even comes & the Crow flies low
And the swallow he dips at the spring
The Leveret starts in the corn from the crow
And frights up the Lark to take wing
The Shrew Mice & Crickets they sing
I' the rushes & grass on the baulk
The swallows have gone from the spring
And the Shepherds have gone from their talk
While lovers only take their Evening walk

[I wandered forth to view the streams]

I wandered forth to view the streams
And breath[e] a bit the morning air
Enjoying mornings summer dreams
Where every thing looked fresh & fair
When coming down the dusty road
A bonny maid I chanced to meet
Her neck was white her shoulders broad
Her vacant look was very sweet

Good morning Sir the days so warm
It almost melts one on the road
Her voice was musics melting charm
Her bosom soft her shoulders broad

877

I wispered to her dont say Nay
My own hearts secret loves you well
She said a word—I will not say
And told a tale I will not tell

[How cheerful along the gay mead]

How cheerful along the gay mead
The daisy and cowslip appear
The flocks as they carelessly feed
Rejoice in the spring of the year
The myrtles that deck the gay bowers
The herbage that springs from the sod
Trees, plants cooling fruits and sweet flowers
All rise to the praise of my God
Shall man the great master of all
The only insensible prove
Forbid it fair gratitudes call
Forbid it devotion and love

878

The Lord who such wonders can raise
And still can destroy with a nod
My lips shall incessantly praise
My soul shall be wrapt in my God

[Say not when all your scanty stores afford]

Say not when all your scanty stores afford
Is spread at once upon the sparing board
What further shall this feeble life sustain.
And what shall cloth[e] these shivering limbs again
Say does not life its nurishment exceed
And the fair body its investing weed
Behold and look away your low despair
See the light tenants of the barren air
To them no stores or granereys belong
Nought but the woodland and the pleasing song
Yet your kind heavenly father bends his eye
On the least wing that flits along the sky

To him they sing when spring renews the plain
To him they cry in winters pinching reign
Nor is their music nor their plaint in vain
He hears the gay and the destressful call
And with unsparing bounty fills them all
Observe the rising lilly's snowy grace
Observe the various vegetable race
They neither toil nor spin but car[e]less grow
Yet see how warm they blush how bright they glow

879

What regal vestments can with them compare
What King so shining or what Queen so fair
If ceaseless thus the fowls of heaven he feeds
If o'er the fields such lucid robes he spreads
Will he not care for you ye faithless?—
Say is he unwise or are ye less than they

[Know God is every where]

Know God is every where
Not to one narrow, partial, spot confined
No not to chosen Israel
He extends through all the vast infinitude
of space At his command the furious
Tempests rise, the blasting of the
breath of his displeasure.

He tells the world of waters when to war
And at his bidding winds and seas are calm
In him not in an arm of flesh I trust
In him whose promise never yet
has failed I place my confidence

880

‘BIRD O THE WILDERNESS’

Bird o' the wilderness
Does heavens winds chill thy breast
On the ground builds her nest
By the tuft hassock and wild thymy hill
Bird o' the desert place
‘Prized are thy featherd race
‘Heavens thy dwelling place
Minstrel of heaven and singing there still

Bird o' the pathless heath
Where heaven sheds her breath
On furze and flowers beneath
And solitude talks to herself all the year
Bird of the desert place
Unused to any place
Save thy own speckled race
How lovely thy songs at this season appear

Here is thy home bird thou beautiful comer
A nest wi' brown eggs from the spring to the summer
The wild bee's thy neighbour a sun shiney hummer
A teazeing the Lambtoes around thy rude nest
Now the clouds part up far i' the blue
I can see thy wings winnow adieu bird adieu
Thy dwelling is heaven where none may pursue
And in heaven thy singing is blest—

881

‘WILT THOU THINK O' ME?’

Now the spring's coming and wild b's 'r humming
Mary think of me
When leaves come to the wild wood
So loved b' th' n chldhd
O th'n rememb'r m
Thr think wh l'v'd th derst
And got wild flwrs th nrst
And clmd th kss sncrst
Which Mr still ws m
O Mr n sprng wthr
Lts bth go thr tgthr
And still remembr m
Where places are greenest
And summer's serenest
Wilt thou think o me

882

The primrose o' the wild wood
Talk agen to thy childhood
Neath the old Ivy tree
Where the ring dove cooes lofty
And the winds flutter softly
My love think o' me
By the beds o green mosses
That the oak root embosses
And lichens white glosses
Remember thou me

My love let's be roaming
Come to me at gloaming
I' the Lane let us be
Where the woodbine is wreathing
And dog rose is breathing
Remember thou me
The cock chaffer born
From the dewey white thorn
Is sounding his horn
Dear Mary to thee
I'll meet thee at gloaming
I' the fields to be roaming
Till then think o' me

883

‘HER MAIDEN NAME IS ELEANOR’

Her maiden name was Eleanor Who stole my heart away
I loved and thought of none but her for many a summers day
I loved and thought of none but her She set my heart on flame
I paused and uttered Eleanor And loved her very name

Her lovely eye of tender hue Sweet lips and gentle breast
On her bottom lip a cherry grew I've often kissed and pressed
And in her eye a gentle light That won me all her own
I ne'er was blest but in her sight And loved her best alone

The very name o' Eleanor Would charm me more than drink
I saw her every sabbath—Or, I could not sleep a wink
I wandered out at starry night Along the meadow way
Among wild flowers she seemed in sight and muttered thoughts o' day

Love thoughts that silent beauty speaks and silent Man adores
I wandered in her love for weeks O'er meadows woods and moores
The meadow flowers were all for her That blest the summer weather
Green banks swelled sweet for Eleanor When we should be together

The lark was singing i the clouds The bee hummed round the flowers
The foliage of the willow shrouds Green banks o' loves young hours
I cropt some cowslips from the grass Nor cropt them all alone
For there I clasped the bonny Lass And Eleanors my own

884

‘SWEET LUCY O NORTHAMPTON’

The summer morn is beautifull In crimson and in blue
So is the Iris by the pool Besprent wi' firey dew
The sedge birds song is beautifull I'th' rustle of the reed
The river neath the Willows cool Flows with the sweetest speed
But Lucy o' Northampton town Is sweeter far than these
Than golden Chain and Sattin gown And songs o' honey bees

Sweet Lucy o' Northampton town So bonny and so fair
With red rose cheeks and hair so brown How beautifull you are
Then meadow sweet and burnet too How finer far to see
Sweeter than sweetbrier pearled wi dew You are my dear to me
In woodbine hedge the Nightingale Sings songs in thrills and swells
But sweeter is the lovers tale Lucy at Even tells

Aye they may praise the summer morn The crimson and the blue
The lilies meadow lak[e]s adorn But never equals you
The flowing river beds o' reed The reed birds singing too
Are sweet to see and hear indeed But not so sweet as you
Two red rose cheeks and sparkling eyes A bosom soft as down
Sweeter than flowers I Lucy prize Maid o' Northampton town

885

‘THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE TIME’

Now the wheat is in the ear And the rose is on the brere
And blue caps so divinely blue With corn poppy's o' scarlet hue
Maiden at the close o' Eve Wilt thou dear thy Cottage leave
And walk with one that loves thee

When the Evens tiney tears Beads upon the horny spears
And the spiders lace wets through With its pinhead blebs o' dew
Wilt thou lay thy work aside And walk by brooklets dim descried
When my delight could love thee

While thy footfall lightly prest Tramples bye the skylarks nest
And the cockles streaky eyes Marks the snug place where it lies
Mary lay thy work away And walk at dewey close o' day
With me to kiss and love thee

There's something i' the time so sweet When lovers i' the evening meet
The air so still the sky so mild Like slumbers o' the cradled child
The moon looks over fields o' love Among the Ivy sleeps the dove
To see thee is to love thee

886

So come my mary now's the hour To feel the evenings soothing power
The ladybird has sought repose On golden pillows in the rose
The white moths round the white thorn bush On its blue eggs sits the thrush
And I'll ever after love thee

‘COME THE BACK WAY DEAR’

Now Granny's gone to bed Steal in the back way
Ye shall be my favoured lad I'll be your lass alway
Come in this happy night For Granny's fast asleep
And I'll put out the light Fear some should come to peep

So come the back way dear To love me ye'll be free
Should ye kick at Grannys chair Till furder ye'll find me
The fire it may be out Or there'll may be be a spark
For there's nothing half so sweet As kisses i' the dark

Love come the back way in By the Mint and lads love tree
And where my Grannys bin I' the next chair feel for me
The fire's upo' the hearth And there'll may be [be] a spark
The crickets sing i' mirth And the kiss is sweet at dark

So Roger pulled the string She from the window flew
She was a Lassie sweet He was a lover true
He fell o'er Granny's chair And felt his hearts delight
I' kisses sweet and fair Till morning brought a light

887

‘THEY LOVE NOT ME BECAUSE I'M POOR’

They loo na me because I'm poor I' woolen hoes and clouted shoes
For poverty there's little cure But war it ever mine to chuse
I'd chuse the maid i' russet gown And loo's simplicity
Though finer roses bluim in town The kintra maid for me

And I myself wad be na mair Then on[l]ie what I am
The [OMITTED] mans complaint is sair His breeding na' but sham
Wha' ever tuck me for a knave Wud mar opinions sarely
I've often made a foemans grave And fought for Scotlands Charley

And dear I loo the land o' bruim And the throble bluiming rarely
And when I change my hose and shoon Pray wha's the Man but Charley
Dear Scotland is my highland home When troubles press me sairly
If they're auld Scotlands bluid and bane I'm suin auld Scotlands Charley

When highland clans and lowland Men Git up and gang the gither
I'll meet them i' the cozey glen And show the princes feather
I'll meet 'em for auld scotlands sake I' rank and file set fairly
And when the Lan's at the last stake Pray wha's mysell but Charlie

888

[The heart of Midlothian is nearly my own]

The heart of Midlothian is nearly my own
So I'll worrit no longer the skin to the bone
Then the Lily of Lorn or the sweet Lammermore
She's sweeter and fairer and her I adore
She's the Flower of Old Scotland the jewel & pearl
The Maid o' the Thistle the bonny Scotch Girl

O the Heart O' Midlothian is bonny & fair
Red rose is her ripe lips & coal black is her hair
Her mouth is like honey—the bees sunny hour
The bottom lips cherrys the top on[e] a flower

O the heart o' midlothians an angel to me
The flowers o ould Scotland oer mountain & sea
Her bosoms more white than the Lilly o Lorn
And her eyes are as bright as the daybreak o morn

The heart o Midlothian lies never alone
As it beats i' my breast as the core o' my own
And so shall it beat on for ever & aye
For time, love, and nature can never decay

The Heart o Midlothian is bonny & young
The sweetest that ere in a ballad was sung
O the Heart o Midlothian is mine to its core
Her sweet face & fair bosom I'll love evermore

889

SONG

[The grey green willow whispers]

The grey green willow whispers
The prattling brook it lispers
And moths so white like specks o light
Fly round the awthorn vespers
Whose leaves are found that cool the hand
Each snow white wing flys oe'r the spring

SONG

[I love thee dearly my own bonny Maid]

I love thee dearly my own bonny Maid
Sweet as heaven or nearly but to speak I'm afraid
The sun it may alter the course where it shines
Heavens language may alter where all is divine

But love conquers Hell & is love unto Death
Where black spirits fell Woman kept her sweet breath
Where heavens truth lives th'ourt an angel or nearly
All language gives truth Is I love thee dearly

I love thee dearest by the Heavens above thee
Where loves vows are sincerest by heavens I love thee
By the round Moon above thee Gods light to be really
Night & day Love I love thee & love thee most dearly

890

SONG

[O sweet is the song o' the Thrush i the spring mornings]

O sweet is the song o' the Thrush i the spring mornings
And sweet is the Chaffinch that sings o' the Thorn
And lovely and pleasant are natures adornings
To walk out wi Rachael in loves dewey morn
When the hare licks her coat i' the dewey mist clover
And the rabbit pit patters upon the Molehill
And the Wren i' the furze bush wi flowers golden over
Builds her green mossy nest by the side o' the hill

Ill ramble the wood side and down the green lane go
And court my young Rachael while milking the Kye
The Blackbird sings loud as a Lady's piano
With a yellow gold ring round his violet eye
O Rachael is fair as the dew pearls o' morning
And Rachael is sweet as the buds o sweet brere
Her dark jetty curls oer her eye lashes dawning
The moss on the Rose is'nt nothing so dear

O Rachael looks sweet in her new Sunday gown
And her bonny lace cap makes her neck look so fair
Shes the prettiest Girl in all the whole Town
Through her cap you may see the fine comb in her hair
Her breasts underneath her green gown bosom lye
Like a pair o' white Doves in a lilly white nest
O red was her ripe lips & bright was her eye
I courted her long & I loved her the best

891

SONG

[I hid my love when young while I]

I hid my love when young while I
Coud'nt bear the buzzing of a flye
I hid my love to my despite
Till I could not bear to look at light
I dare not gaze upon her face
But left her memory in each place
Where ere I saw a wild flower lye
I kissed and bade my love good bye

I met her in the greenest dells
Where dew drops pearl the wood blue bells
The lost breeze kissed her bright blue eye
The Bee kissed and went singing bye
A sun beam found a passage there
A gold chain round her neck so fair
As secret as the wild bees song
She lay there all the summer long

I hid my love in field and town
Till e'en the breeze would knock me down
The Bees seemed singing ballads oe'r
The flyes buzz turned a Lions roar
And even silence found a tongue
To haunt me all the summer long
The Riddle nature could not prove
Was nothing else but secret love

892

SONG

[O Liza Dadfords like a pearl]

O Liza Dadfords like a pearl
A bouncing bonny lively Girl
I loved her once and ever shall
The sweet Eliza Dadford
Her bright eyes like two Diamond drops
The maiden blushes comes and stops
From rose bush where the Linnet hops
To sweet Eliza Dadford

Her bosoms white her eyes are bright
Her face the essence of delight
The charm o day the loved o night
To be wi Liza Dadford
I loved her many years ago
Her face did like the rose bush glow
Where I kissed first she blushed & so
I loved Eliza Dadford

SONG

[O Hellen Wright, O Hellen Wright]

O Hellen Wright, O Hellen Wright
A cruel maid to me
My many vows o' love to slight
And not to let me be
To throw your image in my way
The light o' day to mark
Then cruelly my hopes betray
And leave me in the dark
When I had hopes your love to meet
You shunned me in the very street

893

But when I passed wi careless eye
You passed me every day
I' streets nay fields where none came nigh
But only to betray
I owned my love when you was nigh
I said I loved you true
Since then you never once were bye
In public Street or clover dew
I've walked & looked the whole year round
But never more was Hellen found

My love for her in April shower
Could not more fitly be
The dew drop fallen on the flower
The honey wi the Bee
My love for her was just as sweet
And natures just as true
But Hellen would not fondness meet
So here I bid adieu

SONG

[The spring has been here just one week]

The spring has been here just one week
These snow drops tell the time
I came here then spring flowers to seek
And now they're just in prime
My Jinney's neck's as white as they
Her cheek is much more dear
And what o love I'm going to say
Will Jinney stand to hear

894

Is Jinney's memory a' away
When snow drops speak so plain
She said she'd no more answer ‘nay’
When spring flowers came again
And here they drop like blebs o' snow
Sae beautifully fair
Which Susan cropt a year ago
And wore them in her hair

The flowers are speaking Jinneys words
What she a year ago
Said to herself among these herds
When I kept teasing so
She said I teased—I only sat
And sued one kiss in vain
She said she'd grant me more than that
When snow drops came again

And they are come and Jinneys here
Bees seek their faint perfume
But Jinney nips the wild sweet brere
And wont look where they bloom
The swain got up from the molehill
Jinney nae longer teased
He caught her with his heart all chill
To court her as he pleased

SONG

[I wish I was where I would be]

I wish I was where I would be
With love alone to dwell
Was I but her or she but me
Then love would all be well

895

I wish to send my thoughts to her
As quick as thoughts can fly
But as the winds the waters stir
The mirrors change & flye

SONG

[Maiden with those ivory shoulders]

Maiden with those ivory shoulders
And those two hills white as snow
Charm of all the worlds beholders
Maiden thou of Earth below
Wherefore shall I win thy fancies
Wherefore win thy heart to praise
First of beautys sweet romances
Born to bless us all our days

I the blooming time o' roses
Shall I thy beauty try to woo
When the Evenings sun reposes
On the mountains distant blue
Maid of beauty Love pursues thee
Through the rosey blooms o' June
Hedges where the woodbine dews be

896

SONG

[O had I the wings o' the dove]

O had I the wings o' the dove
I'd fly to the land I like best
Go bed on the bosom o' love
Among the sweet lilys to rest
I'd play i her sheets like the Snow
And kiss the proud mole on her breast
When mornings sun came I'd not go
But stay till it hid in the West

O had I the wings o' the Dove
I' loves lily sheets I would lie
And kiss o' the secrets o' love
And love i the light o' her eye
A rosey i bud on each breast
As flowers on the mountain tops lye
Between such white hills to go rest
How sweet a good conscience might lye

O give me the speed o' the dove
Since to her I no thoughts can convey
And I'll live i the soul o' her love
Till I spring like an angel from clay
There's a beauty spot blotched on her arm
And one on the thick o her thigh
On them I could kiss & be warm
And live i the light o' her eye

897

SONG

[Twas i' the morning early]

Twas i' the morning early
The dew was on the barley
Each hours a string o beads
Blue caps intensely blue
Corn poppys burnt me through
Seemed flowers among the weeds

Where I met young Mary Boyfield
And did loves dearest joy feel
As she passed me i the corn
Her gown brushed gently by me
And love that could not flye me
Shone like the dewey morn

Her cheeks the rosey breres bloom
Her eyes like ripples lately come
From gravel paving Spring
She looked accross the red & blue
Each colour wore a livelier hue
While Larks popt up to sing

How lovely hung the barley spears
Beaded wi' mornings dewey tears
Rich green & grey did seem
The pea more rich than velvet glows
Sweeter than double the Dog rose
A sweet midsummer dream

The grass wi downy tops inlaced
Where I clasped Mary round the waist
And doated on her charms
I kissed her cheek & swelling breast
That like two downy pillows prest
And held her in my arms

898

The sun gleamed oer that waving corn
Where her I kissed one dewey morn
A shining Golden river
I clasped her in a locked Embrace
And gazing on her bonny face
I loved her and for ever

SONG

[She tied up her few things]

She tied up her few things
And laced up her shoe strings
And put on her bonnet worn through at the crown
Her apron tied tighter
Than snow her caps whiter
She lapt up her earnings and left our old town

The Dog barked again
All the length o' his chain
And licked her hand kindly & huffed her good bye
Old hens prated loudly
The Cock strutted proudly
And the horse at the gate turned to let her go bye

The Thrasher man stopping
The old barn floor wopping
Wished oer the door cloth her luck & no harm
Bees hummed round the thistle
While the red Robins whistle
And she just one look on the old mossy farm

899

Twas Michaelmas season
They'd got corn & peas in
And all the Fields cleared save some ru[c]kings & tythes
Cote pigeon flocks muster
Round beans shelling cluster
And done are the whettings o reap hooks & scythes

Next years flowers a springing
Will miss Jinneys singing
She opened her Bible & turned a leaf down
In her bosoms forewarnings
She lapt up her earnings
And ere the suns set 'll be in her own town

SONG

[The Daisey by the road side]

The Daisey by the road side
It is a pretty flower
Its golden eye & silver rim
Smiles in the April shower
The pile wort on the trodden grass
Shone beautiful as gold
And there I met a lovely lass
Most handsome to behold

And there I passed a lovely lass
Eyes like ony sloe
Down her fair cheek her ringlets fell
As black as ony Crow

900

She looked down on the daiseys
A smiling i their bloom
That told her o' the sunny days
O summer yet to come

Young Mary she was handsome
Young Mary she was fair
Soft and rosey was her cheek
And coal black was her hair
Her dress was like the country girl
A Country Girl was she
And much I wished that happy morn
Her sweet heart for to be

Good morning to you maiden fair
Good morning Sir said she
The dog rose fanned the sunny air
The ivy clasped the Tree
I placed myself behind the path
And dropt a word or two
She kind replied to all I said
And shunned the grassy dew

I clasped my arm about her neck
And looked that way & this
And while the blackcap sung aloud
I stole one happy kiss
We stood upon the path
& shunned the grassy dew
And there I found a sweetheart
Where the Gold eyed daisy's grew

901

FRAGMENT

[The wind fanned daisys show the early spring]

The wind fanned daisys show the early spring
With golden sunny eyes & silver rims
House sparrows chirp blue titmice sing
And droves of midges from the dunghill swarm
The Chaffinch sits & pecks each feathered [wing]
And cleans his feathers i the pale eyed sun
Green curls the parsley rows in gardens trim
And greener still curled brocolis up run
Onions & Leeks they sow & garden works begun

SONG

[We'll walk my love at eve unseen]

We'll walk my love at eve unseen
By broad leaved hazel hedge [so green]
Where Anna['s] curls like fingered glove
Dark as the ivy shakes above
We'll stand on grass banks bright & dry
And count the stars all in the sky
And there well stand to see them shine
Till love grows fond and you divine

A kiss without thy leave I'll take
With one arm lapped round thy white neck
While curls by thy white earings [shake]
Like so many coal black rings
And loll upon thy heaving breast
And in thy secret wishes rest
My arm around thy shoulder thrown
Thy hand in mine Id. hold my own

902

The ash it spreads accross the leas
And bunches shake o' paler keys
We'll sit beneath or stand the while
And see the heavens burn & smile
The meadow sweets white downy tops
And round the binding wild hedge hops

SONG

[The sulphur hued primrose]

The sulphur hued primrose
Is out i' the Lane
The morning less dim glows
The sunshine again
Gleams warmer & warmer
Down the mossy fringed lane
And the voice o' Loves charmer
Singing birds wake again

The shaded lanes dirty
The ruts dribble on
And the sludges splash spirty
Where waggons have gone
My kind love supposes
And where the Bees hum
Round the roots o' primroses
I think they might come

To see women walking
At the spring o' the year
I the primroses talking
Is something so dear

903

To the joys o' the season
I think it divine
And wish with good reason
Such companion was mine

The old Cow is followed
By the maidens glad eye
Butterflyes sulphur coloured
She sees gadding bye
And the small Tortoise shell
When the primroses bloom
By the woodside will tell
When the warmer days come

SONG

[The wind waves oer the meadows green]

The wind waves oer the meadows green
And shakes my own wild flowers
And shifts about the moving scene
Like the life o' summer hours
The little bents with reedy head
The scarce seen shapes o' flowers
All kink about like skeins o' thread
In these wind shaking hours

All stir & strife & life & bustle
Is every thing around we see
The rushes whistle sedges rustle
The grass is buzzing round like Bees

904

The butterflyes are tossed about
Like skiffs upon a stormy sea
The bees are lost amid the rout
And drop in green perplexity

Wilt thou be mine thou bonny lass
Thy drapery floats so gracefully
We'll walk along the meadow grass
We'll stand beneath the willow tree
We'll mark the little reeling bee
Along the grassy ocean rove
Tossed like a little boat at sea
And interchange our vows of love

SONG

[Long have we parted been]

Long have we parted been
Longsome and lonesome
No one to cheer the scene
None but Miss Bl*ns*me
Lassie lie near me
Cuddle and cheer me
Love dont live so lonesome
But come and lie near me

I' the Bastilles o' hell
Bloody & dreary
Bloody tales captives tell
Lonely & weary

905

I have been where they fell
Wounded and weary
Now I wi' freedom dwell
Lassie come near me

Kisses are sweet my Love
Thy cherry Lips cheer me
Sweet as one hope above
Heaven loves near thee
Tis hell to be parted thus
Come love & hear me
Give me thy bosoms buss
Lassie lie near me

All my hearts anguish
And long I've endured it
In prison to languish
Thy smiles love has cured it
True love and lassie dear
Turn back & hear me
Thy white bosoms heaven near
Lassie come near me

SONG

[My buxome young Lassie my bonny young Lassie]

My buxome young Lassie my bonny young Lassie
To see thy white bosom I'm all of a flutter
My bonny young lassie theres nought to surpass ye
While staring afore thee I nothing can utter
Words broken in halves make me stutter and stammer
I ache to say something but cant get [it] out
A frown from thy face love is like a sledge hammer
Mashing bones into powder and knocking brains out

906

But the look o thy smile love is soft as a feather
And the hue o thy bosom is whiter than down
We'd both be in heaven love completed together
God 'd may be sent Angels as comforters down
My fair bonny lassie my dear bonny Lassie
Thy face is as sweet as the rose bloom o June
Thy eyes are as bright as the brooks while they pass ye
And thy voice like the Nightingales sweetly i' tune

My happy young maiden my bonny young maiden
As dear as the Apple & light o' my eye
How rich is thy beauty arrayed in the Plaiden
The rose on thy cheek wears an heavenly dye
Thy legs & thy arms are the marble o nature
Thy bosoms the seat & the pillow o joy
Come to my arms thou divinest young creature
And let me enfold thee all blushing & coy

SONG

[I peeled bits o straws and I got switches too]

I peeled bits o straws and I got switches too
From the grey peeling Willow as Idlers do
And I switched at the flyes as I sat all alone
Till my flesh blood & marrow wasted to dry bone
My illness was love though I knew not the smart
But the beauty o love was the blood o my heart

Crowded places I shunned them as noises to[o] rude
And flew to the silence of sweet solitude
Where the flower in green darkness, buds, blossoms & fades
Unseen of a shepherds & flower loving maids

907

The hermit bees find them but once & away
There I'll burry alive & in silence decay

I looked on the eyes o' fair woman too long
Till silence and shame stole the use o' my tongue
When I tried to speak to her Id. nothing to say
So I turned myself round & she wandered away
When she got too far off—why Id. something to tell
So I sent sighs behind her & talked to my sell

Willow switches I broke, & I peeled bits o straws
Ever lonely in crowds in natures own laws
My ball room the pasture my music the Bees
My drink was the fountain my church the tall trees
Whoever would love or be tied to a wife
When it makes a man mad a' the days o' his life

SONG

[I had na been so busy]

I had na been so busy
Na na indeed not I
Had I not thought the hussy
Had got tamer bye & bye
An old nag at my coat flap[s]
A bur behind my ear
And two or three banging gate claps
I heard some ither where

908

A nasty dirty hissy
They plague me still at home
Her old rags bin too busy
And so's her tuzle comb
I'll name her arter horses
And rub her down i straw
And heed no love discourses
Love's what the world neer saw

FRAGMENT

[The dewey evening with its orange sky]

The dewey evening with its orange sky
Looks mellow like ripe fruit before it falls
Those thunder strokes of Ink black clouds that lye
Oer the gold seas of light to thought recalls
Niagarras rocks & their tremendous falls
The waves o light pour oer its sunniest dye
Fancy hears the torrents thundering brawls
While peace upon the velvet sward sits bye
And heaven seems melting from so soft a sky

909

SONG

[Tell the wish of thy heart in flowers sweet maid]

Tell the wish of thy heart in flowers sweet maid
Words never speak so plain
As a dogrose cropt from the woods green bowers
Or a cowslip cropt i the rain
To stoop for't & cherish it home i thy breast
While the rain drops fall i the face
And like pearls o' joy on thy happy cheeks rest
From the bushes & green grassy place

[How beautiful the hazy morning seems!]

The dew drops on every blade of grass

The dew drops on every blade of grass are so much like silver drops that I am obliged to stoop down as I walk to see if they are pearls, and those sprinkled on the Ivy woven beds of Primroses underneath the hazels, white thorns and Maples are so like gold beads that I stooped down to feel if they were hard but they melted from my finger—And where the dew lies on the Primroses the violets and white thorn leaves they are emerald and berryl yet nothing more than the dews of the morning on the budding leaves nay the road grasses are cover'd with gold and silver beads and the further we go the brighter they seem to shine like solid gold and silver—It is nothing more than the suns light and shade upon them in the dewy morning—every thorn point and every bramble spear has its trembling ornament till the wind gets a little brisker and then all is shaken off and all the shining jewelry passes away into a common spring morning full of budding leaves Primroses Violets Vernal Speedwell Blue Bell and Orchis—and common place objects—

910

FRAGMENTARY

How beautiful the hazy morning seems!
And calm, and tranquil: though the mist still glooms
O'er the horizon; shutting out sun beams.
Through dew and mist the bright sun comes,
And redolent with spring the primrose blooms.
One almost feels spring growing in the grass;
The hedge rows round you, with its sweet perfumes
Gives to the winnowing breezes as they pass—
A thrill of joy which lifes dark sphere illumes—
Bright [OMITTED]—

[‘Such is the Almighty Will’ so spake the honest brow]

‘Such is the Almighty Will’ so spake the honest brow,
But the cold grave covers his body now,
And the rank grass, and weeds that hide his breast
Are dull and green, and common as the rest.
Hush ‘rest in peace’ [OMITTED]—

[The sedges sighing by the meadows stream]

The sedges sighing by the meadows stream,
While over head grey willows nod and dream
As though 'twas night [OMITTED]—

911

[I wish the king cups they would come again]

I wish the king cups they would come again,
Gold in green grass, beaded with pearls o' rain,
Blue eyes that seem to beckon as they gaze
To kiss those sweet lips [OMITTED]—

SONG. ‘BONNY MARY’—

1

Dearest Mary! ever dearest!
How lovely is the morning!
All is bright when thou appearest,
Come and we'll hail days dawning,
Where the oak tree, darkly shadows,
O'er the dew'y dasied grass,
Where the song of thrushes glad us,
There I'll court my bonny lass—

2

Let me clasp thee, bonny Mary,
Underneath the dark oak bough,
Where the breeze comes light, and airy,
And quiet feeds the sheep, and cow,
Bonny Mary! let me clasp thee,
Where the ivied oak tree leans,
Oer the brambles, there I'll grasp thee,
And teach thee what true courtship means—

912

3

Bonny Mary! maid the rarest!
Plump and rosy—sweetest—dearest—
I'll clasp, and kiss thee as the fairest
Ever seen—With love sincerest
I'll caress thee, hear my pleading!
Thou art all the world to me:
All thy virtue's I've been heeding;
May gi' thy hand to me—

To, ‘Mary Ludgate’

LINES—TO HELEN MARIA

1

Helen Maria! lovely Helen!
Ere the foliage leaves the tree,
Ere the snow storm hides the dwelling,
Take a country walk with me,
In thy sunday shawl, and gown;
With thy best straw bonnet on,
Let us leave the tiresome town,
And go where love and summer's gone—

913

2

Go to the grove of willows grey,
That lean upon the rivers side,
Where the green flag's, rustling play,
And the wild duck, wanders wide:
Where the old oak, darkly green,
Shows autumn in a yellow bough;
Helen Maria seek the scene,
With health upon thy bonny brow.

3

And we, will mark the river run,
And fishes leap above the stream,
All golden with the Autumn sun,
How happy will the journey seem!
How happy will thy bosom be!
To feel the kiss so softly prest:
If Helen loves—walk out with me,
We in each others hearts shall rest.

To ‘Helen Maria Gardiner’—

TO JULIA

1

Dear Julia! now the new mown hay
Is littered o'er the narrow path,
We'll in the meadows spend the day,
And sit upon the scented swath;
We'll rest upon the fragrant hay,
Dear Julia! in the willows shade;
In fond affection spend the day:
And there I'll love my bonny maid

914

2

The knap weed falls before the scythe,
And clumps of tawney meadow sweet,
Ploughmen in fallows, whistle blythe,
Where I, and bonny Julia meet.
How sweetly cool the river runs!
How richly green the flags appear!
More yellow than the brightest suns,
The sweetest place in all the year—

3

We'll gather lamb toes in the grass
Brown tanned and hot as Julia's face,
And Burnet flower, a tawney lass,
And rattles like a pencil case
That sound and rattles in the hand,
For which the village boys will run:
For these I'll sea[r]ch about the land,
And walk with Julia in the sun—

4

Dear Julia! now the new mown hay
Is littered oer the narrow path,
We'll in the meadows spend the day,
And walk among the scented swath,
Dear Julia! in the willow's shade,
We'll sit upon the fragrant hay,
And there I'll clasp my peerless maid,
And love, and live throughout the day.

To ‘Julia Wiggington’

915

SWEET JENNY JONES

1

Oh clear, sweet, and bonny are April's gay mornings,
And loud sings the Blackbird, all i' the green wood:
And sweet is the maiden, in nature's adornings,
With whom on the even o' Sunday, I stood;
Soft was her gown o' silk, and black was the gloss on't,
And red was her rose cheek, with hues a' its own,
The heath sward was velvet, and goud was the gorse on't,
When I went out walking wi sweet Jenny Jones.

2

How sweet was the heath, wi its pile wort and daizeys,
And slopes filled wi furze bush, and every such thing:
How green the spring comes, there what sunshiny places,
How loudly the thrushes, and blackbirds, do sing,
There young Jenny rambled, i' the beauties o' nature,
Where the brook it went limping o'er pebbles, and stones,
There I claspt in my arms, the most beautiful creature,
The rosy, and bonny lass, sweet Jenny Jones.

3

The gouden hued gorse blossoms, glittering wi dew,
The pigeon winged orchis, o' mulberry stain,
The Bracken, and blue bell, o' heavens own hue:
How sweetly they bloom on the wild heath again,
How bonny, and fair, was the face o' my true love,
How sweet was her voice, with its musical tones,
How white was her breast, when her smiles first I knew love,
I'm bewitched wi the beauty o' sweet Jenny Jones.

916

4

Oh clear, sweet and bonny, are first April mornings,
And loud sings the Blackbird, who sits on yon thorn;
And sweet is young Jenny in natures adornings,
While walking the dewy heath soon in the morn,
Oh how I adore thee my beautiful Jenny!
Whose small feet go tripping the brooks stepping stones,
You're the loveliest, dearest, and fairest of any,
My beautiful, bonny lass, sweet Jenny Jones.

SONG

[Sweet comes the morning]

1

Sweet comes the morning,
In natures adorning,
And bright shines the dew, on the buds o' the thorn,
Where Mary Ann rambles,
Through sloe trees, and brambles,
She's sweeter than wild flowers that open at morn;
She's a rose i' the dew love,
Nothing's sweeter than true love,
She's as gay as the poppy, that grows in the corn.

2

Her eyes they are bright love,
Her bosom's snow white love,
And her voice is like songs o' the birds in the grove:
She's handsome, and bonny,
And fairer than onny,
And her person and actions, are natures, and love,
She has the bloom o' a' roses,
She is the breath o' sweet posies,
She's a' pure as the brood i' the nest o' the dove.

917

3

O' earths fairest daughters,
Voiced like falling waters,
She walks down the meadows, than blossoms more fair,
Oh her bosom, right fair is,
And her rose cheek, so rare is,
And parted, and lovely, her glossy black hair:
Her bosom's soft whiteness,
The sun in its brightness,
Has never been seen, so bewitchingly fair.

4

The dewy grass glitters,
The house swallow twitters,
And through the sky floats, in its visions o' bliss,
The lark soars on high,
On cowslips the dews lie,
And the best day's o' summer, are nothing like this:
When Mary Ann rambles,
Th[r]oug[h] hedge rows, and brambles,
The soft gales o' Spring are the seasons o' bliss.

I'LL DREAM ABOUT THE DAYS TO COME

1

I'll lay me down on the green sward,
Mid yellow cups, and speed well blue,
And pay the world no real regard,
But be to nature, leal, and true,

918

What breaks the peace o' hapless man,
But they who truth, and nature wrong?
I'll hear na mair o evils plan,
But live wi nature, and her song.

2

Where natures lights, and shades are green,
Where natures peace, is strewn wi flowers,
Where strife, and noise, is never seen,
There I'll retire to happy hours,
And stretch my body on the green,
And sleep amang her flowers in bloom,
By eyes of malice, seldom seen,
And dream upon, the days to come.

3

I'll lay me by the forest green,
I'll lay me on the pleasant grass,
My life shall pass away unseen,
I'll be no more the man I was,
The tawney bee upon the flower,
The butterfly upon the leaf,
Like them I'll live my happy hour,
A life of sunshine, bright, and brief.

4

In greenwood hedges, close at hand,
Buildeth and sings the little birds,
The happiest things in the green land,
While sweetly feed the lowing herds,
While softly bleat, the roving sheep,
Upon the green grass will I lie,
A summer day, to think, and sleep,
Or see the clouds sail down the sky.

919

HE LOVED ME BEST O' ONY'—

1

The path that led across the fiel
Foot printed, dry, and clean,
Crept snake like in its trail,
Through meadows crisp, and green;
I hung upon my sweethearts arm,
Whose face was red, and bonny,
He said, as love began to warm:
He loved me best o' ony.

2

He said so, as he wiped away,
The hair upon his brow,
It was the happy first o' May
And I'd just milked the cow,
The rose just peeped, and on the brere,
It scented blithe, and bonny;
He softly said, my Mary dear
I love you best o' ony.

3

He pluck'd some cowslips, from the grass,
From white thorn bush, the May,
And said ‘look here my bonny lass,
What hues the flowers display.’
And then I hid them in my gown,
All in my breast, so bonny,
I took them with me, to the town,
They're the sweetest flowers o' ony.

920

4

The clouds hung over Lolham brigs,
The sunshine glittered through the arch,
The ploughboy play'd his rustic rigs,
And cawing crows, sat on the larch.
He kiss't me on the neck, and cheek,
Wi face sae red, and bonny,
And said, ‘no mair he dare to speak
But he loved me best o' ony.’

To ‘Mary Hobbs’

SHE IS A WINSOME YOUNG THING

1

My blossom is a young thing,
Just like a budding daisy,
That come a'most afore spring,
She makes a body crazy:
She's such a winsome young thing,
She's such a bonny young thing,
She's like a bonny daisy bud,
That comes afore the spring.

2

My sweet young May's got house, and land,
My sweet young May's got sheep, and kye,
There's not a maid in a Scotland:
Wi fairer face, and brighter eye,

921

My bonny handsome young thing!
My dearest sweetest young thing!
There's not a flower in a' the spring,
Like my ain dearest young thing.

3

She's one year coming out her teens,
Just on the eve of blooming,
And fairer than the first o' Queens,
Just ripening to a woman,
My bonny handsome young thing!
My winsome dainty young thing!
There's not a flow'r in a' the spring,
Like my ain beauteous young thing.

4

She's big, as ony womans size,
She's shapit like some bonny queen,
Her rose red cheeks, and blue bell eyes,
Are aye the sweetest, e'er was seen,
She is a winsome young thing!
She is a bonny young thing!
The sweetest blossom o' the spring,
Is my ain handsome young thing.

To Miss Cook

THE BONNY MAPLE TREE

1

O the bonny maple tree!
O the handsome maple tree!
There's not a tree in a' the wood,
Can match the maple tree.

922

The thrush will build her nest there,
The maid is oft cares[s]t there,
By the shepherd she is prest there,
O the bonny maple tree!

2

O the ribb'd bark'd maple tree!
O the winsome maple tree!
I love the black blotch'd yellow leaves,
O' the Autumns maple tree.
The siller dew drop, nestles there,
The blue bell drops her tassels there,
The unfledged linnet nestles there,
I' the mossy maple tree.

3

O the bonny maple tree!
What a squatty, mossy stub,
And seeds like wings o' dragon flies,
With one end like a club.
For there's the bugles rattle flowers,
Where butterflies, will settle hours,
Beneath the moss stump, scallop towers,
O the bonny maple tree.

4

O the bonny maple tree!
O the handsome shady maple tree!
There's not a bird in a' the wood,
But loves the maple tree,
May the school boy, miss and spare em,
And the speckled thrushes, rear em,
In the nest, above the arum,
On the bonny maple tree—

923

TO MELANCHOLY

Come maiden sad—of sorrows and of sighs
Pale melancholy! with the downcast look,
Come when the dewy eve the landscape dyes:
The church yard yew we'll pass, and gurgling brook,
And see the snow white moth, on stilly breeze,
Dance by the spinney hedge, & through the leaves.
While the dull visions trouble, and deceives
Thy soul with troubles all thine own:
The stilly eve, thy secret woe receives.
Maiden thou'rt like the church yards mossy stone,
Thou readest thy troubles to the world unknown,
Thy kind face soothes all sorrow save thine own.

HAIL DREARY NOVEMBER

1

Hail! dreary November,
Full well I remember,
Thy wild roaring tempest, when I was a child,
My heart ne'er was weary,
My face was aye cheery,
The loud roaring lynn, and the mountains so wild.

2

The wild raving thunder,
The woods rolling under,
The lake rolling billows, like waves of the sea,

924

Tis the music of nature,
In her stormiest feature,
But the sweetest of music, is freedom for me.

3

Where the muir cock is housing,
And the black cattle browsing,
And the tempest is misting, o'er mountain and glen,
There I think o' sweet Jinney,
My joy and my hinney,
Oh I mourn, that I ever left Scotland agen.

4

Hail! dreary November,
Thy storms I remember,
That roar'd round the shieling, when I was a child,
I still love thy mountains,
Thy lakes and thy fountains,
Thy maidens so lovely, and valleys so wild—

TO ISABEL—

1

Arise, my Isabel, arise,
The sun shoots forth his early ray,
The hue of love, is in the skies,
The birds are singing, come away!
Oh come! my Isabella come!
With inky tendrils, hanging low,
Thy cheeks like hedge rose, just in bloom,
That in the healthy summer glow.

925

2

That eye it turns the world away
From wanton ways, & recklessness,
That eye beams with a cheerful ray,
And smiles propitiously to bless,
Oh come! my Isabella dear!
Oh come! and fill these longing arms,
Come let me see thy beauty here,
And bend in worship, oer thy charms.

3

Oh come! my Isabella love!
My dearest Isabella come!
Thy loves affection let me prove,
And kiss thy beauty, in its bloom,
My Isabella young, and fair,
Thou darling of my home, and heart,
Come love my bosoms truth to share,
And of its being, form a part.

To Isabella Sharp

THE NURSERY GARDEN

1

There is an hidden history, in the trees,
The various shades of green, and shapes of leaves,
The nursery grounds, all stirred with the mild breeze,
My mind from lonesome weariness relieves,
Leaf shedding some, midst evergreen young firs,
Whisper, and talk to every wind which stirs.

926

2

I love the nursery calm—or stirr'd by winds,
Sweet chesnut, beech, and broad leaf'd sycamore,
Fruit trees, and shrubs, and trees of various kinds,
While o'er the varied scene the wind waves o'er;
The poplar, broom, and oak that trees excel,
The nursery—Oh! I love the nursery well!

3

I love the nursery, with its trees and bushes,
Where gold beak'd blackbirds build their nests & fly,
To hear neath pine clumps shade, the singing thrushes,
Hiding her Heaven tint eggs, from every eye,
I love the nursery with its shades of green,
At early morn, or in calm eve serene.

4

The nuts, and filberts with their soft broad leaves,
Throw shadows on the path of russet brown,
The willows grey, a summer chaplet weaves,
For nights dull visions, when the sun goes down,
I love the nursery, with its paths and trees,
Its songs of birds, and summer panting bees.

5

I love the nursery, 'tis a pleasant place,
To spend ones leisure hours, on summer's day,
To mark the various tree's, throughout the space,
Noting dark clumps, where leaves exclude bright day,
I love the nursery, where the breezes leave,
A whispering song of melody at eve.

927

MY BEAUTIFUL RUTH

1

In the greenness and freshness of may,
All calm, as the whisperings of truth,
Thou'rt the star of my soul all the day,
My lovely! my beautiful Ruth!
The birds they are singing all round,
While the sun shines, so warm on the ground,
Lakes ripple in verges of gold,
Where the king cups, and daisy's unfold.

2

Neath the white thorn, that's covered wi May,
With my arm round her neck, for an hour,
I'd court her there, through half the day,
Then hasten to pluck the wild flower,
The cowslip I'd place in her breast,
The roses shall bloom on her cheek,
Of her whom my heart loves the best,
For no other than her will I seek.

3

With my lips on her beautiful cheek,
Breathing love in fond kisses, and sighs,
I could court her, and kiss her a week,
For the light o' the heaven's in her eyes,
The brook floweth happily by,
Where the cowslip is seen, in the flood,
Reflected where calmly they lie,
On the ground where Ruth happily stood.

4

She stood like a pastoral Queen,
She smil'd like an angel o' light,
The grass it grows bright in her e'en,
On a moonlight, and beautiful night,

928

All is quiet—and sleepeth the noize,
I love her in heart, and in truth,
And nothing can equal my joys,
When I clasp to my bosom fond Ruth.

To—Ruth Tennant

FRAGMENT

[Vetches; both yellow, and blue]

Vetches; both yellow, and blue,
Grew thick in the meadow lane,
Isabellas shawl kept off the dew,
As thickly upon her it came,
A thorn bush caught her umbrella,
As though it would bid her to stay,
But the loving, and loved Isabella,
Went laughing, and walking away.

THE WINTERS COME

1

Sweet chesnuts brown, like soleing leather turn,
The larch trees, like the colour of the sun,
That paled sky in the Autumn seem'd to burn.
What a strange scene before us now does run,
Red, brown, and yellow, russet black, and dun,

929

White thorn, wild cherry, and the poplar bare,
The sycamore all withered in the sun,
No leaves are now upon the birch tree there,
All now is stript to the cold wintry air.

2

See! not one tree but what has lost its leaves,
And yet, the landscape wears a pleasing hue,
The winter chill on his cold bed receives,
Foliage which once hung oer the waters blue,
Naked, and bare, the leafless trees repose,
Blue headed titmouse now seeks maggots rare,
Sluggish, and dull, the leaf strewn river flows,
That is not green, which was so through the year,
Dark chill November draweth to a close.

3

'Tis winter! and I love to read in-doors,
When the moon hangs her crescent upon high:
While on the window shutters the wind roars,
And storms like furies pass remorseless by,
How pleasant on a feather bed to lie,
Or sitting by the fire, in fancy soar,
With Milton, or with Dante to regions high,
Or read fresh volumes we've not seen before,
Or o'er old Bartons ‘melancholy pore.’

930

ARABELLA SEYMOUR

1

Oh for the glow of Titian
Or Shakesperes wondrous themes
I then might sing of what thou art
The beautiful of dreams
Thine eye the language of the soul
What eloquence can vie
With their calm light which beauty stole
Whose spirit makes reply

2

The immortality of mind
The happy face reveals
And something more than earthly love
Upon the gazer steals
These lips are full of pastoral thoughts
How beautiful they are
The ripest cherries on the tree
Nor rubies are so fair

3

Sweet Arabella blooming on
Of Seymour's name the star
That shines in aether spangling on
The loveliest beauty far
Oh for a Titian's tints to glow
And Shakespeares pen to move
How would I sing thy name below
The beautiful of Love—

931

THE VILLAGE BELLE

1

The happy thorn bushes were just in their greenest
And green was the meadow bank greener the lea
The sun on the rippling lake shone the serenest
But the belle in the meadow's the beauty for me
Her bra' gown it waved in the gales o the morning
And her strippit ribbons they fluttered so gay
Her face was all beauty o' natures adorning
As she went to the fair by the hedge rows o' may

2

As soon as she pass't me the fields turn'd a' gloomy
The green grass seem'd naething so green as before
The flowers lost their colours erewhile they were bloomy
And the sunshine na pleasured my fancy na more
I left the green holly and follow'd the maiden
And soon overtook her beneath the elm tree
With blushes and beauty her features were laden
But I dare not tell what she granted to me

3

Bright again shone the flowers the daisy & pilewort
That studded the grass every inch of the way
I kiss't her ripe lips, and got a sweet smile for't
Oh she blushed like a rose all the rest o' the day
The meadows were all in bright butter cups glaring
Green again was the grass and bright blue was the sky
I vow on next may day to give her a fairing
Should she have the kindness to pass this way by

932

HYMN

[Father of all the life and light]

1

Father of all the life and light
Of all created space
The planets fixed in heaven bright
The brute and human race
Father creator life and love
Of all thine hands have made
The Lord below the God above
I ever need thy aid

2

Thy grace all evil things to shun
And troubles to endure
Oh let thy blessing on us come
A sovereign balm and cure
To heal the heart opprest by wrong
To rise the sinking soul
Inspire me with an heavenly song
Me let not sin control

3

I ask not worldly fame to win
Nor earth's delights to share
These are the deadly baits of sin
Lord shew the hidden snare
In rectitude my footsteps guide
Lest they to ruin lead
The night is dark the world is wide
Lord help me to proceed

933

4

The amours vain of lawless love
The harlots stubborn pride
My aims exalt to realms above
With wisdom for my guide
In other worlds my hopes shall lie
With excellence and thee
My home shall be beyond the sky
With God the Deity—

SONG

[The cows they are out in the pasture]

1

The cows they are out in the pasture
Where the maids go a milking at e'en
Untroubled by a common disaster
In every village they're seen
On the white thorn the cobweb is hinging
The knob weeds blood red on the hill
By the dyke yellow hammers are singing
Milkmaids sing more beautiful still
How sweet smells the hawthorn how lovely the scene
Where the beautiful maidens go milking at e'en

2

The cows are all out in the pasture
The Hedge sparrow chirps in the thorn
And there is the man with his master
Looking over the clover and corn
The milk maid looks like the hedge roses
When fi[r]st they begin to unclose
Her eyes are as bright as blue posies
That all down the pasture path grows
How sweet smells the hawthorn how lovely the scene
Where the beautiful maidens go milking at e'en

934

3

The blackbird sings sweet in the vale
While the ring dove is cooing beyond
And the wagtail whose wagging his tail
Catches midges that fly oer the pond
The gnats from the rushes fly up
In a column that toutches the sky
At the cow pond the heifer will stop
While the swallow goes merrily by
How sweet look the maidens with aprons so clean
And their well scoured pails going milking at e'en

SUNDAY AT NOON

1

How sweet is a stroll in the field
With the pease and bean blossoms in bloom
What a sweet smelling fragrance they yield
As they bloom on a Sunday at noon
Oh I love the footpath that takes
To the clear gravel brook on its way
I walk on its banks for it makes
A beautiful saunter in May
Where the Lamb toe clumps still
Red and yellows each hill
And the brook whimpling music the whole summers day

935

2

'Twas on a sweet sunday at noon
Delightfully sweet was the hour
The wild rose was just in its bloom
And a humble bee crept in the flower
The water like silver ran by
And gulped oer the pebbles and stones
Like silk did the seeded grass lie
Oer which the wind softly oft moans
The mossy stones wemble
The bowed rushes tremble
And the chafed waters murmer their sighs & their groans

3

'Twas a beautiful sunday at noon
And not one of the sheep seem'd afraid
I'd got on my best sunday shoon
And was in my new clothing array'd
All the fields had their green Jackets on
Oh they never looked gayer than then
On that day with its bright glowing sun
Oh when will they bloom so agen
And the silk reeded grass
Shading brooks clear as glass
Oh it whispers sweet music to children of men

FRAGMENT

[Love's memories haunt my footsteps still]

Love's memories haunt my footsteps still
Like ceaseless flowings of the river
Its mystic depths say what can fill?
Sad disappointment waits for ever

936

TO BETSY

1

Shineth the moon in silence now
In her palace skies on high
And beautiful the white thorn bough
Catches thy silver light and by
An Angel from beneath its shade
Stands Betsy in her love
Stars an illumination made
And peeped from realms above
Inspiring with celestial aid
The beautiful in love

2

A charm spread round the quiet place
By moonlight calmness given
The soft rays fell upon her face
And told of peace in heaven
She stood beneath the hawthorn shade
A sweet and blushing maid
The quiet eve time lent its aid
To bless our happy love
In silence all the moon above
Looks down on our first courtship made
How beautiful is Love!

3

Yes Betsy is the lovely girl
That stands beneath the moon
With love bright eyes and teeth o' pearl
A rose in beauty's bloom

937

Her bosom wore the lily's light
Not idle words could move
Dew's that do make the wild flow'r bright
Fell on my nestling dove
Oh 'twas a calm and happy night
The Beautiful in love!—

4

And she is still my bonny dove
My handsome moonlit flower
The powers of language fail to prove
The pleasures of that hour
Words idly said have no avail
Love's silent heart to move
The silence of this happy vale
We secretly approve
For it will keep the tender tale
Of Beautiful in love

A HAPPY SPRING NIGHT

1

The spring flowers are under the hedges anew
The primrose so yellow and violet so blue
The pilewort so golden the daisy so white
And the dew glittring cowslip so sweet by moonlight
These all in their blossoms of nature are true
But where is the maiden so dear to my sight
Who walketh at eve the harbinger of night
Oh! she is not here and what shall I do

938

2

See! here is the thorn so young and so green
Where I prest her and kiss't her by nobody seen
And here's the same primrose beneath the ash tree
And violets that arums would hide from the bee
Here I've stood by the hedge since the suns going down
She promised to come here this night from the town
What pleasure to kiss those sweet lips by moonlight
There's nought like such joys on a happy spring night

3

She is fair and she's slender and lovelier far
Than the night blooming flowers or evening star
She is sweet and she's fair and brighter than aye
Tho' the morn without clouds sheds its lovliest ray
The leaves on the thorn they are tender & green
Its the best of all places that ever was seen
To look into eyes which are beaming so bright
In those which we love on a happy spring night

THE FLOW'RETS O' GOD

1

The daisy luiks sweet at the spring o' the year
And the pileworts are bright as the sun shining clear
And nature smiles sweet as the wild flowers come in
To destroy them in wantonness were a great sin
They're the types o' Gods love and sweet pictures they make
On the hedge row or meadow by river or lake
The little birds love them and make their nests nigh
The Lark by the daisy on bushes the Pye

939

2

Sweet flow'rets from God in the spring time appear
And the music of God is re-echoing clear
How deliciously sweet are the songs of the birds
The bleating of sheep and the lowing of herds
The chafing of waters the sighs o the wind
They breathe forth a melody soothing the mind
And the hum o the old early granfather bee
In concert is helping to keep up the glee

3

Should you walk over flowers which in the glade lay
And crush them still others will spring up next day
And those which you've trod on will kindle again
When the dew falls upon em wi' showers of rain
The meadows are covered and so are the 'oods
With Anenome blossoms just bursting from buds
They bloom with the primroses in the green moss
'Neath hazels and maple's and bushes o goss

4

I love the green cornfields and meadows to see
And the snowy white blossoms upon the green tree
And all the sweet herbage a bursting to flow'rs
In heath land and pastures and meadows or moors
I love the sweet glimpses o' first peeping spring
Primroses and cowslips and every green thing
To sit on the grass beneath the green tree
These I love! So do all natures children wi' me

940

SONG

[Oh where can he wander! Ah where can he stay!]

1

Oh where can he wander! Ah where can he stay!
To keep so long from me and out of the way
Ten years he's been lost to the light o' these eyes
And every days absence increases surprise
Again the bow'd cowslip is covering the lea
But it brings no return of my Sandy to me
The golden ey'd daisy looks sweet in the burn
Oh! how I do long for my Sandy's return

2

Ten years have the gowans show'd their gouden eyes
In the place where he left me beneath the bright skies
But they gave him a red coat a cap and a feather
And sent him frae me and frae love all together
And he's left me alone wi the gowans to be
Ten long years have passed without comfort for me
Tears fall from my eyes on gowans so gay
I'm sad that my Sandy fra Ailsie should stay

3

Oh Sandie! Oh Sandy you're gone oer the sea
You're gone far away from your own country
Where the gowans smil'd sweet with you by my side
And the stars shone so brightly at evening tide
My heart is a' sad and I sigh all the day
As I think o' my Sandy who's gone far away
The gowans so bright they all wither and die
But Sandy returns not beyond the great sea

941

SWEET MARY BEAL

1

This passion to love thee I cannot conceal
But how shall I tell thee my sweet Mary Beal
I'm sure that I love her but Mary's not here
Where the dews on the grass and the rose on the brere
But the rose on the brere and the dew on the grass
Is nothing compared to my own bonny lass
Oh the fruits of my passion I cannot conceal!
'Twas May when I first met my Sweet Mary Beal

2

Bright daisies and Celadine starr'd the green lane
And the white thorn with blossoms was dotting again
Seeking clay from the ditches were Blackbirds & Thrushes
For the houses they're building among the green bushes
A primroses root by the waggon gate shone
As yellow as mustard or flowers o' brimstone
One sunday in May I did silently steal
Down the green lane right happy to court Mary Beal

3

Her frock it was light and her kerchief was silk
And her bosom beneath it as snowwhite as milk
Her lips like twin cherries her cheeks like the rose
Which blushes so sweet down among the hedge rows
Oh sure such another could never be seen
Yet she wondereth much what my bother does mean
There are many green trees do sweet blossoms reveal
But nothing so handsome as young Mary Beal

942

BONNY YOUNG SUSAN

1

Bonny young Susan lives down the green lane
The flower o' the village the pride o' the plain
Wash'd clean by the show'rs lay the stones up and down
Green lanes they're the color of susans new gown
Arum flowers—Lords & Ladies had open'd their hood
Some the color o' cream others purple as blood
And their leaves gloss'd like Ivy are pleasantly green
Where the blackbirds & thrush build their dwellings unseen

2

Wi my stick in my hand how I sing and I whistle
And frighten the great bee whose lit on the thistle
He fell on the grass but the sun o' the Spring
Soon makes him alive and he takes to his wing
The finch wi grey lichens has built a round nest
And white thorn and brambles around it is prest
‘There is nothing like love’ a writer me tells
I felt it when courting o' Susannah Wells

3

Oh my sweet fair and beautiful Susannah Wells
Sweet as the blossoms o' bonny blue bells
Bright as the pink o' the luscious woodbine
I'll clasp thee for ever dear Susan thou'rt mine
My fond one my dearest for ever shall be
Thou'rt like a young rose when it buds on the tree
Thy savour is sweet as flow'rs sprinkled wi dew
My Susan is faithful and I will prove true

943

SONG

[How sweet the woodbines fragrant flowers]

1

How sweet the woodbines fragrant flowers
Sweet is the hum drum of the bee
But sweeter far at evenings hours
The lovely smiles of Ellen Tree

2

She stood against a tree of oak
He joined her by the woodland stile
Twas just as though an Angel spoke
I heard her speak and saw her smile

3

Oh Ellen Tree! dear Ellen Tree
The sun is setting 'yont the hill
Walk down the white thorn lane wi me
And let us live in Eden still

4

White clover blooms and thistle flowers
Are lodgings for the sleepy bee
I'll worship in the evetide hours
My idol Angel Ellen Tree

5

As none were lov'd Ill love her on
And more than happy will I be
I'll seize the moment e'er tis flown
To kiss the lips of Ellen Tree

944

OH THE MAIDEN WAS COY

1

Oh chilly was the afternoon & slowly mov'd the rack
Before the Easter time came in
When I met a bonny maiden all dress'd in sable black
And I look'd upon her lovely face and tried her heart to win
Oh I looked into her eyes and she never turn'd away
But she gazed on me again in pleasantness and joy
Her looks fastened on my soul and ever since that day
I've never been myself for the maiden she was coy

2

Right chilly was the afternoon & slowly mov'd the rack
When I overtook a maiden who stood by the way
Her hands and face were fair & she was dress'd in black
I could have lov'd and kiss'd her up to this very day
I looked and nothing said for the maiden she was coy
So silently we parted as I pass'd her on that day
She left in my bosom the joy of every joy
And her image from my mind can never pass away

3

No the images of love are the pulses of the heart
And the feelings o' its tenderness can never know decay
While the gushes o' the bosom in each purple vein do start
And warm us with loves pictures that never fade away
Oh chilly was the afternoon & slowly mov'd the rack
And bonny was the maid that I look'd on alone
Oh her face it was fair and her dress it was black
I intend when next I meet her to claim her as my own

945

KATE O' KILLARNEY

1

The flower of Ould Ireland is Kate o' Killarney
So now ye half daft men ge's no more o' your blarney
Than the thistle and rose the shamrocks more green
Sweet Kate o' Killarney's the Irishmans queen
So tight Irish boys o' the smoke and the still
Drink the Irishmans Queen in another bright gill
What man o' the Shamrock what man o' the blarney
Drinks whiskey and knows not the Maid o' Killarney?

2

Oh Island o' green & sweet land o the praters
Wi your Catholic Priests & Eves sweet pretty craturs
I love you together like bees may you hive
And wish ye like bees in your Island may thrive
Your daughters are fair as their grandmother Eve
As lovely—as tempting—as fain to deceive
If you set me like Adam to fall by your sin
By the priest o' St Patrick I'm sure I should win

3

I'm not up to beading my prayers upon pearl
But I long for a kiss fro' my sweet Irish girl
Such a kiss that the parson himself could not blame
Nor find for the sin if it is so? a name
So heres to the shamrock and also the thistle
And the rose for an advocate never shall whistle
Put all three together & the pride o' Killarney
Is the Irishmans queen and her name is Kate Kearney

946

NANCY RAWLEY

1

I cannot brag afore ye men
Of any sort o' riches
So I'll go home and shave my sen
And put on Sunday breeches
I was in love head over ears
And though the day was squally
I paid no heed to natures tears
But went to Nancy Rawley

2

O bonny was the rosy maid
As summer flow'rs so bonny
Her hair was done in plaits o' braid
Her eye was bright as ony
Wood echoes mock'd the clapping gate
The day ceas'd to be squally
The year about so soon or late
I courted Nancy Rawley

3

I' the green bottoms o' the hedge
Hedge sparrows sat to whistle
The Dragon fly was on the sedge
The bee suck'd on the thistle
The hedge row bushes hung wi drops
The paths were wet and mawley
But on I goes and never stops
A courting Nancy Rawley—

4

She was a handsome country girl
Her face was sweet enough
And round her neck a string o' pearl
Her gown was crimson stuff

947

I went in spring and summer too
Through weather fair or squally
And ne'er was happy one week through
Without seeing Nancy Rawley—

A SAD CATASTROPHE

1

Oh Molly Meeks! Oh Molly Meeks!
How can you sarve me so
I' my face they say I can sow leeks
There's muck enough to grow
I dare no let the least o' drops
Of water touch my cheeks
So I must wear a dirty chops
And all through Molly Meeks

2

Oh Molly Meeks! Oh Molly Meeks
I'm dying—what a loss!
Children are plagueing me for weeks
By laying straws across
And Molly Meeks when she goes by
They call a ‘spotless dove’
At me they point and loudly cry
‘He's crucified by love’

3

Oh Molly Meeks! Oh Molly Meeks!
Do let your anger stay
It's me alone your kindness seeks
To cheer my weary way

948

The Tom Cat mhows dogs bark at me
Poor Lumkin all despise
The Schoolboys let their marbles be
‘Oh look at Toney's eyes!’

4

Young men and maids be warn'd by me
Oh be all warned in time
By Toney Lumkins jeopardy
Love cut off in his prime
And all through cruel Molly Meeks
A ‘Boney’ in her mind
Slighted I've been these fifty weeks
Nor peace nor rest can find—

THE GOWN O' GREEN

1

The Spring is come and winters gone
And nature all ears tingle
Sweet Nanny's put her bonnet on
For flowers wild i' the pingle
The birds are building every where
Wi hair and bents and mosses
On white thorn, black thorn, dog rose brere
Mid sheep and cows and horses

949

2

My love is in her gown o' green
Walking and talking still
Among the hills and hollows seen
By the old water Mill
Her face is comely as a queen
Her auburn curls hang down
Oer shoulders white as snow I ween
Set off by her green gown

3

She's tight and jimpsey in her stays
Her bosom soft and round
Her sunday clothes on common days
She wears the whole year round
My love she is a handsome thing
Travel the country oer
I'll buy my love a wedding ring
And love her evermore

MARY COLLINGWOOD

1

Oh Mary gentle Mary let us not disagree
I took thee for my true love to share thy company
Relentless fate pursued me and sent me cross the sea
But there sweet Mary Collingwood was all the world to me
At last when I came back again after staying months away
Her absence was made up to me by the pleasure of that day
To look upon that sweet face where fell the silent tear
Recompenced the absence I'd been away a year

950

2

That by gone year has perish'd with every absent day
When we all lonely hearted from each other liv'd away
The flowers bloom'd in France like to our English spring
Birds sang but Mary Collingwood wasn't by to hear them sing
Flowers bloom Birds sing at Springs return again
But none like English primroses e'er grew in France or Spain
They look all neat and smell so sweet all down among the gorse
Where Mary looks for violets in the green wood velvet moss

3

The white thorn shews her leaf and the bud is on the brere
Where once we pluck'd wild roses at the July of the year
Where once we gather'd honey suck the finch doth build a nest
I rubb'd the prickles off the rose and plac'd it in her breast
Roses have bloom'd sae sweet and fair upon this lovely spot
Yet none so sweet as those which my lovely Mary got
Oh much I love the rural place where the sweet briar stood
But more I love the bonny face of Mary Collingwood—

THE SKYLARK

1

O'er grass ground and plough'd fields now whistles the sky lark
Oer fallow field meadow and glen
Oer moist moors and furze heaths oer Paddock and dry park
It whistles its ditty springs coming agen

951

2

It is lost in a cloud then is seen in the sunshine
One wing is gilded the other seems blue
It sits on its nest and sleeps soundly by moonshine
On its writing mark'd eggs now pin headed wi dew

3

I love the proud sky lark the copple crown sky lark
A flying and singing every inch as he flies
He begins afore sun rise till sunset and nigh dark
And seems but a butterfly up in the skies—

4

He hangs I' the cloud like a freckle o' brown
And sees the hen lark i the corn running round
He drops all at once like a stone he comes down
Just a moment hes down on the ground

I MET MY LOVE

1

I met my love in summer days
On Sundays in the morn
And prov'd it in a thousand ways
While walking through the corn
I pull'd her as she stept the stile
Back just to kiss her cheek
She just rebuk'd me by a smile
I felt it all the week

952

2

With stick before I beat the dew
Where heavy laid the grain
For black and glossy was her shoe
Her new gown without stain
I put the envious brier away
That dangled for her sleeve
And cut the bramble from the spray
That they no wounds might leave

3

I met my love in Summer weather
And wandered down the lane
Like Turtle Doves we pair'd together
And shall do so again
The moon may peep when skies are bare
O' clouds, and stars may shine
They'll see nought else but love is there
I'm hers, and she is mine—

SHE'S CHASTE AND BEAUTIFULLY FAIR

1

How dear to me the wild rose tree
That in the hedge row blooms again
Its golden eye is dear to me
And glistening wi a shower o' rain
How beautiful the roses look
I pass them nearly every day
All blooming in the pleasant nook
A chaffinch built upon its spray
And there all wi' his ruddy breast
Is sitting on its lichen nest

953

2

How beautiful the wild rose tree
In green close hedges how they shine
I look at them and think of thee
My Mary with thy face divine
Thy face it hath the roses blush
Thine eyes are bright as mornings dew
Thy heart—The chaffinch in the bush
Is innocent and artless too
Sweet Mary wi the dark brown hair
You're chaste and beautifully fair

3

Let me upon thy bosom lean
Let thy white bosom ease my cares
True love well knows what sorrows mean
And heals and cures them unawares
I kiss my Mary's blushing cheek
I languish in her beaming eye
And all my raptures fondly seek
Is answered by a kind reply
From Mary wi her dark brown hair
Whose chaste and beautifully fair

SWEET IS THE WHISPER

1

How sweet is the whisper that comes from the willows
And sweet is the rustle o' sedges and reeds
That grow in the river make muddy the billows
That swells up in volumes thro' rushes and weeds

954

Wi bosom as soft as the down o' the pillows
Wi a waist just an armful for lovers to span
Come love and we'll walk down the groves o grey willows
And forget all the world and its cares if we can

2

Red are thy cheeks and ruby thy pouting lips
Thine eyes are as bright as the summer sun beams
There's a mole on her breast like the cup o' cowslips
Was I but a fairy in mid summer dreams
I'd kiss it and dream on't the whole of the summer
I' the midst of the white lily beds where it lay
Like a bee on a flower whose a beautiful hummer
It's sweet to the eye when the kerchiefs away

3

How sweet is the whisper by moonlight or even
From the lips o' a beauty whose whispering to thee
She's the light o' my soul a picture o' heaven
The moon wi' her face in the waters I see
So softly my hand lay upon her white shoulder
'Twas pleasant to look on and lovely to be
By the side o' my Lucy and sweet to behold her
There's no one her equal in this Countree

THE SAILORS RETURN

1

The white thorn is budding and rushes are green
The Ivy leaves rustle around the ash tree
On the sweet sunny bank blue violets are seen
That tremble beneath the wild hum of the bee

955

The sun beams they play on the brooks plashy ripples
Like millions o' suns in each swirl looping on
The rush nods and bows till its tassel'd head tipples
Right into the whimpled flood kissing the stones

2

'Twas down in the cowpasture just at the gloaming
I met a young woman sweet tempered and mild
I said pretty maiden say where are you roaming
I'm walking at even she answer'd and smiled
‘Here my sweetheart and I gather'd posies at even
‘Its eight years ago sin they sent him to sea
Wild flowers hung wi' dew are like angels fro heaven
They look up in my face and keep whisp'ring to me

3

They whisper the tales that were told by my true love
In the evening and morning they glisten wi' dew
They say (bonny blossoms) ‘I'll neer get a new love
I love her she's kindly’ I say I love him too
The passing by stranger's a stranger no longer
He kiss't off the tear drop which fell from her 'ee
Wi blue jacket and trowsers he is bigger & stronger
Tis her own constant Willy return'd from the sea

THE MAIDS O' OULD IRELAND

1

The maids of Ould Ireland
Of evergreen Erin
They burn like a firebrand
Your eyesight & hearin

956

If you look on them light man
They'l drive you quite crazy
Their eyes are so bright man
Their gait is so aisy
Oh the maids of Ould Ireland are fairest & brightest
Their faces the fairest their footsteps the lightest

2

Wi their pots and their kettles
I'm at home quite a croney
If their tongue's sting like nettles
Their bosoms are honey
Oh the tight Irish lasses
Are sweet pretty cratures
Their beauty surpasses
Inanimate natures
Of flowers and such like. The maidens soft whispers
Are sweets at eve tide repeating their vespers

3

Oh the girls o' Ould Ireland
The young Irish women
Burn your eyes like a firebrand
They're so bright & bloomin
They're sweet pretty craturs
All crushing together
I the land o' the taters
Like a fire in cold weather
Then here's to Young women o Erin so green
I wish them all happy & wed at fifteen

957

RATHER TOO COOL

1

Fair bonny maid o' Sibbertoft
How can you cruel prove
When in your fathers bushy croft
We both confess'd our love
The hunters they are on the hill
The hounds all in full cry
Your slighting coolness turns me chill
I feel that I could die—

2

I would not do that bosom white
One single stain o' wrong
Thy scorning smile my love to slight
With[h]eld thyself so long—
Beside this white thorn grows the brere
And both are getting green
Just where we kisst each other here
By all beside unseen

3

And is the sun to smile so warm
Oer thickets green and gay
Where thy sweet kisses lent a charm
To cheer me on my way
The spring is cold & comfortless
And cold your heart must be
I can put up with cares distress
But not rebuke from thee

958

NO USE IN TRYING

1

My love is as sweet as a bean field in blossom
Like the pea bloom her cheek like the dog rose her bosom
My love she's as rich as brook banks of daiseys
Gold eyes and silver rims meeting mens praises
Her eyes are as bright as the brooks silver ripples
Milk white are her twin breast[s] & rose pink the nipples
Her ancles are sweet as a man can conceive
And her arms are as fine to[o] though hid in her sleeve

2

She's as rosey as morning as mild as the even
I sing her love songs but she's hard o believeing
She'll bid me good day if we meet on the causeway
If I stop to talk love, in a minute she's saucey
To kiss or come nigh her there's no use in trying
She wouldn't toutch a mans face though he were dying
And yet she is lovely as ever was seen
As the rose o' the wood or pink o' the green

3

My love is as sweet as a bean field in blossom
The snow drop's not whiter than is her soft bosom
The plash o' the brook it is nothing so bright
As the beam of her eye by bonny moonlight
The rose o' her cheeks no garden so fair
Can match with the red & carnations there
We met where the bean fields were misted wi dew
And if she had kissed me why nobody knew

959

BIRDS: WHY ARE YE SILENT?

1

Why are ye silent
Birds where do ye fly
Winters not violent
Wi such a spring sky
The wheatlands are green snow & frost is away
Birds why are ye silent on such a sweet day

2

By the slated pigstye
The red breast whispers
Where brown leave's lye
The hedge sparrow lispers
But why is the chaffinch and bullfinch so still
While the sulphur primroses bedeck the wood hill

3

The bright yellowhammers
Are strutting about
All still and none stammers
A single note out
From the hedge starts the Blackbird at brookside to drink
I thought he'd have whistled but he only said prink

4

The tree creeper hustles
Up firs rusty bark
All silent he bustles
We needn't say hark
There's no song in the forest in field or in wood
Though the sun gilds the grass as tho' come in for good

960

5

February the tenth and
Even sparrows scarce chirp
The lark in the bents ran
And dodging round whirp
All silent they winnow o'er grass i the glen
Then drop like a stone i' the stibbles agen

6

How bright the odd daisies
Peep under the stubbs
How bright pilewort blazes
Where riddled sheep rubs
The old willow trunk by the side o' the brook
Where soon for Blue Violets the children will look

7

By the cot green and mossy
Feed sparrows and hens
On the ridge brown and glossy
They chirp now and then
The wren cocks his tail oer his back by the sty
Where his green bottle nest will be made by & by

8

Here's bunches o chickweed
Wi' small starry flow'rs
Where Red caps oft pick seed
From weeds in Spring hours
And Blue Cap and Black Cap in glossy spring coat
A peeping in buds wi' out singing a note

9

Why silent? should birds be
And sunshine so warm
Larks hide where the herds be
By cottage and farm

961

If wild flowers were blooming & fully set in the Spring
Maybe all the Birdies would cheerfully sing—

THE YELLOWHAMMER

When shall I see the white thorn leaves agen
And Yellowhammers gath'ring the dry bents
By the Dyke side on stilly moor or fen
Feathered wi love and natures good intents
Rude is the nest this Architect invents
Rural the place wi cart ruts by dyke side
Dead grass, horse hair and downy headed bents
Tied to dead thistles she doth well provide
Close to a hill o' ants where cowslips bloom
And shed o'er meadows far their sweet perfume
In early Spring when winds blow chilly cold
The yellow hammer trailing grass will come
To fix a place and choose an early home
With yellow breast and head of solid gold

962

HIM WHO LOVES THEE BEST

1

Oh come to him who loves thee best
Oh come to him who loves thee
Thy bosom be his place of rest
Thine eyes like heaven above thee
Oh come to him that loves thee best
My Susan come to him
Wi gown as crimson as the west
Straw hat and ribbons trim

2

The dew is on the primrose pale
And on the white thorn buds
Oh come wi me and walk the vale
And honeysuckle woods
Let thy young spirit fancy me
With mine the hours employ
As one let us together be
All happiness! All joy!

3

Oh! come to him who loves thee best
The Lilacs are in blossom
And little birdies have their nest
But nothing like thy bosom
Oh Susan dont contrary be
For leave thee can I never
If thoult be me love I'll be thee
Loving in truth for ever

963

PRIMROSES

1

I love the rath primroses pale brimstone primroses
That bloom in the thick wood and i' the green closes
I love the primroses whenever they come
Where the blue fly sits pensive & humble bees hum
The pale brimstone primroses come at the spring
Swept over and fann'd by the wild thrushes wing
Bow'd down to the leaf cover'd ground by the bees
Who sing their spring ballads thro bushes & trees

2

Like patches o' flame i' the Ivy so green
And dark green oak leaves where the Autumn has been
Put on thy straw hat love & russet stuff gown
And see the pale primroses grow up and down
The pale brimstone primroses wild wood primroses
Which maids i' the dark woods make into posies
Put on thy stuff gown love and off let us be
To seek brimstone primroses neath the Oak tree

3

Spring time is come love primroses bloom fair
The sun o' the morning shines in thy bright hair
The ancient wood shadows are bonny dark green
That throw out like giants the stovens between
While brimstone primroses like patches o' flame
Blaze through the dead leaves making Ivy look tame
I love the rath primrose in hedgerows & closes
Together lets wander to gather primroses—

964

MEET ME MY OWN PRETTY DOVE!

1

Oh come i' the evening my own pretty dove
When the dews o' the Heaven cool the fever o' love
When the day stars o daiseys shut up in green buds
And the eyes o' Anemones close i' the woods—

2

Come love in thy airy straw hat and new gown
And we'll ramble at even away from the town
We'll ramble away by the hawthorn and briar
Where the waggon ruts lead to the woods free from mire

3

And we'll kiss by the oak and the hazel boughs hid
When the Owl hurries out as though he knew what he did
Yes we'll kiss by the light o' the silvery moon
Where the stars will na tell what two lovers ha done

4

So come out and meet me my own pretty dove
The stars are all sleepy & blinking above
The moon who is silent tells not what we do
So come love & meet me nor fear the mild dew

965

MEET ME IN THE GREEN GLEN

1

Love meet me in the green glen
Beside the tall Elm tree
Where the Sweet briar smells so sweet agen
There come wi me
Meet me in the green glen

2

Meet me at the sunset
Down in the green glen
Where we've often met
By hawthorn tree & foxes den
Meet me in the green glen

3

Meet me by the sheep pen
Where briers smell at een
Meet me i the green glen
Where white thorn shades are green
Meet me in the green glen

4

Meet me in the green glen
By sweet briar bushes there
Meet me by your own sen
Where the wild thyme blossoms fair
Meet me in the green glen

5

Meet me by the sweet briar
By the mole hill swelling there
When the west glows like a fire
Gods crimson bed is there
Meet me in the green glen

966

THE FITTING PLACE

1

The day was cold and rawkin
Though 'twas April o' the year
And the Cows they fell a gawkin
As if enemies were near
Winds blew about the rushes
The Finch built on the brere
And chirp'd in white Thorn bushes
In the April of the year

2

The flying showers went over
Like large birds upon the wing
Silver drops were on the clover
Pearl beads o' early spring
There a bonny maid was weeding
The thistles from the wheat
And the Partridges were breeding
Little Birdies at their feet

3

Oh! I eyed the maid all over
As I pass'd her in the grain
Then I hasten'd through the clover
And the Heav'n was dropping rain
I kisst her on the cheek so red
Her neck was soft and white
She heeded every word I said
And felt that it was right

967

4

We lay together side by side
Around us grew the wheat
She'd make a bonny winsome bride
The woodbines wer'nt so sweet
We saw the sun drop in the wood
The stars light up the eve
The moon got up wi dewy hood
Before we took our leave

5

There's pleasure in the sweet greenwood
Wi a sweet girl by ones side
To think of it it does one good
And fills our heart wi pride
To walk amang the silken grass
To kiss her rosy face
Courting till eve the bonny lass
In such a fitting place

MEET ME TO NIGHT

1

Oh meet me to night by the bright starlight
Now the pleasant spring's begun
My own dear maid by the greenwood shade
I' the crimson set o' the sun
Meet me to night

968

2

The sun he goes down wi a ruby crown
To a gold and crimson bed
And the falling dew from heaven so blue
Hang[s] like pearls on Phoebe's head
Love leave the town

3

Come thou with me neath the green leaf tree
We'll crop the bonny sweet brere
Oh come dear maid neath the hazle wood shade
For love invites us here
Come then wi' me

4

The Owl pops scarce seen from the Ivy green
Wi' his spectacles on I ween
See the moon above and stars twinkle love
Better time was never seen
Oh come my queen

5

The fox he stops and down he pops
His head beneath the grass
The birds are gone we're all alone
Oh stay my bonny lass
Come! Oh come!

969

ANGELS OF EARTH

1

Love is the immortal souls delight
For ‘God is love’ we see
I love His seasons day and night
His world so fair and free
The evening breeze and morning gale
And Gods own masterpiece
Woman! Thy joys can never fail
Our pleasures to increase

2

I loved sweet woman from a boy
They are Gods types o' love
Wi' bosoms white all full o' joy
Wafting our thoughts above
Angels o' earth though made wi clay
Love clippit o' the wing
To them I sang my early lay
Continue still to sing

3

Their soft eyes tell o' bliss in heaven
Sweet are the words they say
In their sweet smile the power is given
To cheer our lonely way
Their rosy cheeks and lips I loved
Their diamond eyes I sung
My songs of love by them approved
By them my harp was strung

4

Creations masterpiece is woman!
Of lifes dark sphere the soul
Queen o' every blossom bloomin
A light to charm the whole

970

Angels of earth tho' made of clay
Loves type without a wing
My first as last immortal lay
Is woman! when I sing

COME AS IT MAY COME

1

Oh come as it will come or come if it shall come
If Sally but smiles the winter turns spring
Come joy or come sorrow if t'will come & welcome
Let my Sally smile on while my ballads I sing
I'll sing o' the Hawthorn and grove o' grey willows
Where Sally and I sat a courting all day
When I kiss'd her red cheeks oer two snowy pillows
Not one word o' resentment she found for to say—

2

So come love as t'will come if crosses shall come
True love is like water pure rinning along
The rocks and the shallows at all times are welcome
Wet or dry they are welcome in loves happy song
For Sally is fair she's bewitchingly handsome
Her bosom's white lilys her cheeks the red rose
If her last words were cold still to love her I am come
True love like a siller brook murmers & flows

3

Come weal or come woe come sorrow or gladness
Come blackness what matters if Sally but smile
With her I'll be happy tho puzzled to madness
And find that her ransom is worth all my toil

971

Oh Sally my darling sweet beautiful Sally
Thy bosom I vow is the throne o' Loves joy
To trifle with thee or one moment to dally
Deserves not the least o' thy smiles to enjoy

'TWAS WI' SADNESS O' HEART

1

'Twas wi' sadness o' heart that my love and I parted
Tears fell on a rock as wheels they turn'd round
When I took a last kiss and felt nigh broken hearted
And then to Leith harbour my journey was bound
'Twas to better our fortune and feel more contented
And to go board a ship that I journeyed that day
The first and last time that I ever repented
And the childer to school were sent out o' the way

2

The morning was rough and snow round the pier head
Fell covering the rigging as white as a sheet
My childer were many I couldn't buy ‘dear bread’
Sae I went for a sailor better wages to meet
The little blue bell flower the friend o' my childhood
That grew where my dog snappt the flies fra his feet
Mid the heather and broom by the side o' the wild wood
My tears dropt amang them 'twas no use to greet

3

Sae my heart it took courage for Sailors were wanted
And I boarded a Merchant man ready to sail
My money was asked and the wages were granted
But the thoughts o' my true love they made me turn pale

972

Auld Scotland receded her vales and her mountains
Till they look'd little more than the palm o' ones hand
I turn'd a last look when I thought o her fountains
But the clouds stood a'tween us no sight o the land

4

Then I plucked up my heart at sight o' the ocean
I thought o' my wife and the children the same
And I felt in my breast an uneasy commotion
And I paled in my face as it went and it came
My childer all tattered their mother in tears
These dear links o' memory are never forgot
The day wasn't spent I might be away years
But I answered myself 'tis to better my lot

5

The sea dog he bobb'd up his head like a buoy
And down by our sails rudely flappd the sea gull
But my heart ne'er o'erfed by contentment and joy
Was ready to burst wi its trouble sae full
The big billows roll'd o'er the deck o' the ship
I fear'd twas a wreck tho 'twas “only a storm”
The sailors around me were drinking their flip
Took not the least notice nor any alarm

6

Two years and nine months sin the day we first started
We toutch'd at both Indies and then hurried hame
Wi a bag full o gold well rigg'd and light hearted
To Ould bonny Scotland we voyaged again
The heath bells I left all their blue joys repeated
Still bloom'd by the fountain & smil'd i the dell
I kiss'd wife & childer wi kindness were greeted
My wife gave me cause she behaved so well

973

ADIEU

1

Adieu! my love adieu!
Be constant and be true
As the daiseys gemm'd wi dew
Bonny Maid
Dews are on the braken
Which the playful winds are shaking
Sweet songs the birds are making
In the shade

2

The moss upon the tree
Is as green as green can be
The clover on the lea
Ruddy glowed
Leave's were silver wi the dew
Where the tall sow thistles grew
And I bad the maid adieu
On the road

3

Then I took myself to sea
While the little chiming bee
Sung his ballads oe'r the lea
Chiming sweet
And the blue wing'd butterfly
Was sailing through the sky
Skimming up and bouncing by
Near my feet

974

4

I left the little birds
And sweet lowing o the herds
And couldn't find out words
Do you see
To say to them goodbye
Where the yellow cups do lye
So heaving a deep sigh
Took to sea

PERPLEXITIES

1

I talk to the birds as they sing i' the morn
The larks and the Sparrow's that spring from the corn
The Chaffinch and Linnet that sings in the bush
Till the zephyr like breezes all bid me to hush
Then silent I go and in fancy I steal
A kiss from the lips of a name I conceal
But should I meet her I've cherish'd for years
I pass by in silence in fondness and fears

2

Yes I pass her in silence and say not a word
And the noise o' my footsteps may scarcely be heard
I scarcely presume to cast on her my eye
And then for a week I do nothing but sigh
If I look on a wild flower I see her face there
There it is in its beauty all radient and fair
And should she pass by I've nothing to say
We are both of us silent & have our own way

975

3

I talk to the birds the wind and the rain
My love to my dear one I never explain
I talk to the flower's which are growing all wild
As if one was herself and the other her child
I utter sweet words in my fanciful way
But if she come's by I've nothing to say
To look for a kiss I would if I dare
But I feel myself lost when near to my fair—

THE MOSSY GREEN LANE

1

The cock chafer hums down the rut rifted lane
Where the wild roses hang and the woodbines entwine
And the shrill squeaking Bat makes his circles again
Round the side of the Tavern close by the sign
The sun is gone down like a wearysome queen
In curtains the richest that ever were seen

2

The dew falls on flowers in a mist o' small rain
And beating the hedges low fly the barn owls
The moon wi her horns is low peeping again
And deep in the forest the dog badger howls
In best bib and tucker then wanders my Jane
By the side o' the woodbines which grow in the lane

976

3

On a sweet summer Eve tide I walk by her side
In green hood the daiseys have shut up their eyes
Young Jenny is handsome wi'out any pride
Her eyes oh how bright! have the hue o' the skies
Oh tis pleasant to walk by the side o' my Jane
At the close o' the day down the mossy green lane

4

We stand by the brook by the gate and the stile
While the even star hangs out his lamp in the sky
And on his calm face dwells a sweet sunny smile
While her soul fondly speaks through the light o' her eye
Sweet are these moments while waiting for Jane
Tis her footsteps I hear coming down the green lane

THE PITCHER WITHOUT EAR

1

In Scotaland there's a bonny place
Where a little spring is found
There nature shows her honest face
The whole year round
Where the white thorn branches full o' may
Hang where the fountains rin
Where comes sweet Alice every day
And dips her pitcher in
A gallon pitcher wi out ear
She fills it with the water clear

977

2

My bonny Alice she is fair
There's no sic other to be found
Her rosey cheek and dark brown hair
The fairest maid on Scotlands ground
And there the heathers pin head flowers
All blossom over bank and brae
While Alice passes by the bowers
To fill her pitcher every day
The pitcher brown wi out a ear
She dips into the fountain clear

3

Oh Alice bonny sweet and fair
Wi roses on her cheeks
The little birds come drinking there
The throstle almost speaks
He dips his wings and wrinkles makes
Upon the fountain clear
Then vanishes among the brakes
For ever singing near
While Alice listening stands to hear
And dips the pitcher without ear

4

Oh Alice bonny Alice fair
Thy pleasant face I love
Thy red rose cheek thy dark brown hair
Thy soft eyes like a dove
I see thee by the fountain stand
Wi the sweet smiling face
Theres not a maid in a' the land
Wi such bewitching grace
As Alice who is drawing near
To dip the pitcher wi' out ear

978

DRESS DOES NOT MAKE THE MAN

1

My love is like the white thorn tree
When its leaves are blown away
His cheeks are red as haw berry
His dress is never gay

2

My love is like the Bramble bushes
Whose leaves lie on the ground
While hes sitting on the rushes
His looks have power to wound

3

His dress—that does not make the man
In one dress all the year
Wi coarse smock frock as brown as tan
He does at Church appear

4

I knew him when a Shepherd boy
His dress was hodden grey
But his plump cheeks of health and joy
Stole all my heart away—

979

MY EVERLASTING LOVE

1

My love is like the Gilliflower
I planted by mysell
My love is like a Willowflower
A blossom wi'out smell

2

How sweet and very fair my love
Like diamonds are her eyes
Like dew drops sparkling from above
That on the white rose lies

3

Her cheeks are like the Red rose tree
Her bosom like the white
Her thoughts from Heaven surely be
To give to man delight

4

Her voice is like the nightingale
Her bosom like the Dove
She shall be in this one tale
My Everlasting love—

980

MY PEERLESS ADELAIDE

1

How swift the rack flies through the sky
How mild the clouds sail on
The cutting hail has rattled by
The winters storms are gone
Then walk my peerless Adelaide
Not in a Coronet
But in thy dress of simple braid
The fairest maiden yet
Like sun in darkness light in shade
Walk forth my peerless Adelaide

2

The Pilewort blazes by the way
The daisey's silver stars
Shed gold and silver light all day
In green that nothing mars
The Primrose pale of Lemon hue
Dew gemmed in mosses shade
Gem like they glisten with the dew
Walk forth sweet Adelaide
Not as the coronetted Queen
But in thy comely gown of green

3

The skylarks winnow through the cloud
And whistle as they rise
The Black Cap in the wood pipes loud
The rack flies through the skies
Swiftly it passes by my dear
Palm sallows gild the shade
Tis calm and pleasant everywhere
Come forth my Adelaide
In youth and beauty fresh and free
Come forth my love and go with me

981

COUNTRY COURTSHIP

1

It was on a summers morning
Nigh the middle of the day
When dewy pearls the Breres adorning
Shone on the hedge row spray
Just while a getting o'er the stile
And the green bank stepping down
I met a maiden wi sunny smile
A coming from the town

2

The roses blush'd upon the Brere
Her cheek flush'd wi the heat
‘Good morning to your smiles my dear
Good Morn said she so sweet
The wheat stalk showed its milky ear
And bow'd down heavy o'er the baulk
The birds they whistled full and clear
The Jays they almost seem'd to talk

3

I said ‘my pretty maiden fair
Excuse a strangers first love token
I wiped aside her curling hair
I kiss'd her cheek before twas spoken
We pass'd o'er grounds & cross'd the lane
Her gown was brush'd by milky ear
I saw her home and back again
Went every sunday all the year

4

I went while wheat grounds turn'd to brown
I went till stouks were standing there
Head aches where blushing up and down
And blue caps blossom'd late and fair

982

I went till Bean fields were turn'd black
And Barley shocks where clear'd away
Saw Ruckyards fill'd wi many a stack
And then we had our Wedding day—

COME BONNY LUCY JANE

1

It was one April morning
When pale Primroses shoot
Hedge borders thick adorning
The Hazels mossy root
Where the Chaffinch builds her nest
On the white thorn green
I kiss'd the bonny breast
O' my own dear Jean

2

In thy bonny buff gown
Thy Hat o common straw
We will wander up and down
In love and natures law
In thy bonny gown o' buff
Thou'rt fair and fond again
One kiss is not enough
A hundred just as vain

3

By the bush nigh the fountain
By rushes on the plain
I'll kiss without counting
Oer and oer again

983

Come Lucy leave the town
The Thorn bush is green
The Daisies glitter round
And Pilewort burns between

4

Then come bonny Lucy
Oh hasten thy delay
Oh do not refuse me
But come love away
Where little birds are singing
To charm the scene
Come dear this e'ening
And be my Queen

IN BEAUTY THERE IS JOY

1

In beauty there is joy for ever
That fadeth not and never will
It changeth not to sorrow never
Its smiles are balm for every ill
It burns in love from its own bosom
Yet never melts those hills of snow
The leaves of love for ever blossom
Its roses never cease to blow

2

To me she is the sovreign queen
The worship of my every hour
Beauty wi love is ever seen
Mid flowers growing in the bower

984

Come forth sweet Rachel wi the spring
Come forth my love and happy be
For thou art beauty's lovely thing
And I am deep in love with thee

3

The pilewort blazes in the grass
The daiseys silver oer the lea
Rachel come forth my lovely lass
And we will both so happy be
Come where the Linnet builds her nest
Where green leaves deck once naked tree
And thou shalt lean upon my breast
Ill happy kisses give to thee

EARLY MORNING

1

Primroses are in hedge rows peeping
Neath white thorn roots violets are sleeping
Dew bespangled they seem weeping
In the early pleasant morning—

2

The Primrose peeps aneath the thorn
By woodland hedges newly born
Shows sulpher bosom in the morn
The calm and tranquil morning—

985

3

The violets blooming neath the hedge
Peeping in clumps thro wither'd sedge
Of Spring the sweet and early pledge
Sweet scenting early morning—

4

By Hazel Stulps and mossy green
Where the bubbling brook is seen
Oft you and I, in Spring have been
Walking at early morning—

5

The Lark is cheeping to the sky
A bursting flood of melody
Till clouds conceal him from the eye
In the mild and early morning—

6

The crow is on the furrow'd field
The Blackbird in the spinney shield
They in the Quick set hedges build
Singing sweet at early morning—

7

The hanging mist the blebs of dew
That makes the early pasture blue
As if the Heaven was looking through
To welcome early morning—

8

In such a place 'tis hard to sever
We met and could have talked for ever
In meadows by that winding river
On that lovely early morning—

986

9

There thou a bonny maiden fair
As sweet a flower as any there
Went forth to take the healthy air
I the quiet early morning—

10

Blessing's attend thy leisure hours
May happiness descend in showers
When Spring revives those fragrant bowers
On a joyous April morning—

SPRING

1

In every step we tread appears fresh spring
Hedge weeds all juicy run up tall and flowers
Birds near their nests in early morning sing
By yonder Chaffinch there the Leveret cowers
Unseen and nestles through the days warm hours
Then plays at eve tide in the grass and dew
The old field barn is based with wild spring flowers
The old cart wheel agen the hovel threw
Leans neath the thatch where last year robins flew

2

The summers messenger the sooty swallow
O'er level meadows like a shadow swims
Then darts with nimbler speed oer the brown fallow
On o'er the farm within a minute skims

987

His flight to mark the keenest vision dims
Now o'er the green wheat field it playful springs
Then oer the meadow field its flight begins
There drops and drinks and twitters round & sings
The happiest welcomer of early spring

3

The children shout to see a swallow fly
When they come first where the bow'd cowslips bloom
Down valleys where lone lodge and hamlets lie
They eager bawl and halloo ‘Here they come’
‘And there they go’ as thoughts do to their home
They hasten quickly to warm chimney pots
Day after day the children watch them come
The sight of swallow[s] their flower gathring stops
Skiming the valley, brooks, through woods he pops

4

Above the Quick set blooms ‘Jack by the hedge’
His white flowers shine all down the narrow lane
In April sunshine still a welcome pledge
To show warm weather brings wild flowers again
Primrose to woods and cowslips to the plain
The Arum red or white their flower shows
The grass gets darker with the sun and rain
The yellow rocket by the dyke side grows
And every wild weed in perfection glows—

988

ACROSTIC

[Jane summer is with thee thy fancy may chuse]

Jane summer is with thee thy fancy may chuse
Any amusement with thy sister the muse
Nor meet dissappointment in walking the fields
Endearing the pleasure that innocence yields

Where wild flowers are blossoming sweet in their joy
In Natures own scene where pleasures ne'er cloy
Light as a summer day softly you tread
Silent as evening o'er the daisey's bed
O'er meadows by Woodside by Brooklets she speeds
Ne'er gathering one of vain folly's weeds—

CAN YE LOVE LOWLAND LASSIE

1

Can ye love lowland lassie the Tweed and the Forth
Can ye love the high rock and the mountain a blea
Can ye bear like the winweed the blight o' the north
Then come Lowland Lassie for ever with me

2

My dear Lowland Lassie o' gold I've no lacking
My bieldin stands firm on the ledges o' rock
A' covered wi' woodbine & theaked o'er wi brakin
A chair for yoursen and a corner for Jock

989

3

My ain Lowland Lassie my dear Lowland Lassie
As dear as the life light that beams in my e'e
The Bieldin stans high and the ocean luiks glossy
Come Lassie and live on the mountain wi me

4

Can ye love Lowland Lassie the lad i' the plaiden
Can ye love the low shielin by the side o' the hill
Can ye love me a Scotchman my ain bonny maiden
There the rock on its shieling is hanging there still

5

The fierce Eagle builds his nest underneath it
The Heron and Falcon ne'er venture so high
No birds o' the small kind a' once ever seen it
'Twill make thee a nest love and keep us a dry

6

Can ye love Lowland Lassie the rocks o' the glen
And the shieling that hangs like a nest i' the air
There's a soucey fire and a chair for your own sen
And broo crum'd with Marigolds when ye get there

WILD FLOWERS

1

How Sweet are Spring wild flowers that grow past the counting
How sweet are the wood paths that thread through the grove
But sweeter than all the wild flowers o' the mountain
Is the beauty that walks here The maiden I love

990

Her black hair in tangles
The Rose Briar mangles
Her lips and soft cheeks
Where Love ever speaks
Oh theres nothing so sweet as the maiden I love

2

It was down in these wild flowers Among brakes & brambles
I met the sweet maiden so dear to my eye
In one o' my Sunday morn midsummer rambles
Among the sweet wild blossoms blooming close by
Her hair it was coal black
Hung loose down her back
In her hand she held posies
Of blooming Primroses
The maiden who pass'd on the morning o' love

3

Coal black was her silk hair that shaded white shoulders
Ruby red were her ripe lips—cheeks o' softer hue
Her sweet smiles enchanting the eyes of beholders
Won my heart as she rambled the wild blossoms through
Like the pearl her bright eye
In trembling delight I,
Kisst her cheek like a rose
In its sweetest repose
Oh theres nothing so sweet as the maiden I love

991

OH WHITHER FAIR MAIDEN

1

Oh whither fair maiden so soon in the morning
In thy High Lows & stockings as black as a coal
Oh whither fair maiden in natures adorning
Thy face has bewitch'd me both body and soul
Im going to the village just over the tillage there
Where the weather cock shines i' the gleam o' the sun
Where the Jackdaws a choir build their nests i' the spire
As soon as the Spring has its season begun

2

We pass'd the pale primrose beneath the wild Briar
The sunbeams were playing in the arc of the sky
The sweet smelling violet we stopped to admire
That blossommed beneath every hedge we pass'd by
Behind and before me I looked all around
I saw no one near when I kiss'd her red cheek
About her white neck I both my arms wound
When she blush'd like a fire & was ready to speak

3

The lace work o' spiders was beaded wi pearl
The leaves of the clover were silvered wi' dew
Where I took the white hand o' the innocent girl
And led her the field and the spinney quite through
The nuthatches ran down the bark o' the trees
Ring Doves in the Ivy sat still in their nest
And round the wet wild flow'rs whining round were the bees
All choosing those blossoms which suited them best

992

4

Neath ribb'd maple stovens sweet lies the blue bell
And Harrietts bosom bent low to the ground
To crop two or three as she liked them so well
How pleasantly fair all the scenery round
In Sight o' the Cottage we sat on the stile
Where I kiss'd her sweet lips in a thrill o' delight
I had to return agen two or three mile
But I promised at parting to meet her that night

A RAPHSODY

1

Sweet solitude what joy to be alone
In wild wood shady dell to stay for hours
Twould soften hearts if they were hard as stone
To see glad Butterflies & smiling flowers
Tis pleasant in these quiet lonely places
Where not the voice of Man our pleasure mars
To see the little bees with coal black faces
Gath'ring sweets from little flowers like stars

2

The wind seems calling though not understood
A voice is speaking Hark! it louder calls
It echoes in the far outstretching wood
First twas a hum but now it loudly squalls
And then the pattering rain begins to fall
And tis hush'd—the fern leaves scarcely shake
The totter grass it scarcely stirs at all
And then the rolling thunder gets awake
And from black clouds the lightning flashes break

993

3

Tis the Spring thunder storm and do I fear
Those bursting claps and bellowing agonies
Of Thunder—I feel the earth shake here
While Heav'ns Artillery rends the very skies
Oh what a clap! Earth sent up no replies
But shuddered—Another clap came louder then
The lightning zigzagged in a lambent flame
Birds were all mute—Earth sobb'd & shook agen
The grunting Badger hurried to his den
And then there fell a bursting flood of rain

4

There is a fragrant freshness after showers
In the warm noon that smells o' the green grass
And herbage round almost as sweet as flowers
Rain on Furze bushes hangs like drops of glass
Beading the grass and bents upon the plain
Drabbling through wet the hare & rabbits pass
Through the brown fern they come again
There's health mid growing crops & fragrance in the rain

5

And there is freshness in the morning dew
With its mult[it]udinous drops of dusky glass
Fields, hedges, meadows one wide view
Of drops—Health in the very breezes as they pass
The winding foot path & the milking lass
The green thorn hedges little stiles and brigs
And shining lakes like sunshine upon glass
The arches where the swimming swallow bigs
Her nest—And ground Lark singing on land rigs

6

The Elm tree in its foliage wavers dull
The Oak tree opens leaf—a lovely green
Charming they look the wood is getting full
Of leaf—The spreading Oak is seen

994

In all varieties of darkest green
The small leav'd Poplar when all leaves are still
Trembles wi' Ague neath a sunny beam
Swift as a Courser goes the distant mill
And mournful waves the willow by the rill—

7

Theres sweet society in fields and woods
Sweet are the pleasures mid the long love grass
I' lakes and rivers and in widest floods
That in the noon day shine like burnish'd glass
I like the wild flowers where the lone bees hum
The clouds which leave their shadows as they pass
They through the sky like ships & armies come
I hail thee Nature as my heritage and home

8

The sunshine's gone & now an April Evening
Commences wi a dun and mackerel sky
Gold light & woolpacks in the west are leaving
And leaden streaks their splendid place supply
Sheep ointment seems to daub the dead hued sky
And night shuts up the lightsomeness of day
All dark & absent like a corpses eye
Flower, tree and bush like all the shadows grey
In leaden hues of desolation fade away—

9

Then comes the darkness in its deeper stains
Of midnight nothingness—nor sky nor earth
Is seen—blank indistinctiveness—nought remains
Of life—All stillness like to lonesome death
The darkness thickens fear walks and stops her breath
She dare not look behind—visions pursue—
Unseen she travels oer the lonely heath
And thinks it company to feel the dew
Till travels done and home appears in view

995

10

Tis May and yet the March flower Dandelion
Is still in bloom among the Emerald grass
Shining like guineas with the suns warm eye on
We almost think they are gold as we pass
Or fallen stars on a green sea of grass
The[y] shine in fields on waste grounds near the town
They closed like painters brush when even was
At length they turn to nothing else but down
While the rude winds blow of[f] each shadowy crown

11

The woodbine in its blossoming all flowers
Shedding its perfumes wi the evening dew
Or early morn or after hasty showers
How sweet they smelt while on the hedge they grew
When I was seeking nests and nothing knew
But flowers my pastime ye delightful hours
How beautiful they are I dare not say adeiu
To flowers there is a charm, a witching in flowers—
Each spring is Heaven the rains and golden showers—

12

As twas at first so it is ever now
The meadow King Cups and the daisey flower
Thickly they shine before the grazing cow
They seem to be the droppings of the shower
How soft the wind comes through the white thorn bowers
Each leaflet glistens with the pearls of rain
They glitter in the sun of the soft hours
The hedge row glistens with the pretty flowers
The Lark sings clear mounting the sky again

13

The new fallen rain lies upon grassy spears
Like beads or drops of pearl reviving all
That the hot day doth swelter—Bright appears
Again in wonted green The Larks loud call
Again is heard above the Waterfall
The trees drop water which to leaflet clings
Bird answers bird with an harmonious note
And the clear drops upon the tall grass hings
Slaking the thirst of thousand tiny things

996

14

As one who long in populous city pent
Wanders the summers breezes to inhale
Among the pleasant farms & dew plash'd bents
I wander through the winding vale
How sweet the smell of grain of tedded grass or kine
How sweet the days o summer in his prime
How sweet the hayfields with the shocks all clear
Soft as a feather bed to sit or lie
And short and green as bowling greens appear

15

While all above the beautiful clear sky
Whose clouds beyond like marble mountains lie
The new mown meadows by the running streams
These beauteous rural objects I descry
I love to see them when the low sun gleams
To watch the evetide & enjoy my summer dreams

16

Rich memory scenes are painted on the sky
And other happy lands are passing in the clouds
In oriental beauties charming the minds eye
Eer even into night the Heaven shrouds
Sometimes a city with unnumbered crowds
Of kings and people in their majesty
While mountains upon mountains sunny brow'd
Climb to the very ceiling of the sky—

17

Travellers in sultry summer many a day
Ive seen them journey through the sultry plain
Greeting their friends they meet upon the way
Then buzzing seek the mossy shade again
Hurrying it seemeth from the threatning rain
In humming notes of melody they sing
Still bottle green or black their coat remains
Fluttering from flower to flower on gauzy wing
Loving like bird companions of the spring

997

18

How many a mile doth thy days journey lead
While gathring honey over fell and tree
Or hoarded from the flower besprinkled mead
Gainst winters desolated hour of need
When ice & snow storms overspread the lea
And ice locks up the water round the reed
And nought but snows and nakedness we see
What then becometh of the busy bee—

19

Slow sails the crow upon the summer wind
The mist like smoke keeps thickening in the sky
Sailing oer garden—field—a thing I mind
Swarth, black or dun how easily they fly
While underneath the waving meadows lie
Looking luxuriant where the waters flow
All wrinkled & reflects the clouded sky
The trees half leaving foliage do now show
This way and that way sails the sooty crow

20

The wind curves round & twirls & puffs & brays
Boiling the wrinkled water like a fire
The grass it quakes & stirs a thousand ways
Trees rolling billows we so much admire
The grain swoops up in curves like to a spire
Then the scene's changed—mists clear away behind
The village steeple's seen with vane of fire
Trees grass & grain in merriest mind
Toss leap, and frisk in summers merry wind

21

Tossing the hay in every sort of form
Boats leaves & lakes that suff the grass in waves
The real appearance of a green grass storm
In sparkling ripples & in billowy graves

998

Where numerous wild flowers in each eddy laves—
And sphinx & butterflies with painted wings
In droves from flower to flower pass o'er the waves
With honey bees & other bright wing'd things
That on the spear arm'd thistle cleans its wings

22

On broad leav'd sycamore is glaz'd the honey dew
In the hot noon & on the maple falls
And oak in woods & hedges—woodbines too
Sticks on the fingers which the tongue recalls
Sweet as the honey comb that seldom palls
The taste—seeth'd in the sunshine and the dew
Nectaranious sweet—I love the pleasant taste
Of sweets dispens'd by nature good and true
How wicked to destroy or rashly waste

THE GREEN WOOD SIDE

I wandered down a green wood side
On Sunday noon in spring
Where little birds their dwellings hide
And Thrushes sweetly sing
The moss so green round Hazel roots
The Primrose by its side
That in its brimstone livery shoots
In bunches far and wide

Oh there I met a pretty maid
The fairest of her kind
She stood beneath the Hazels shade
Where lightly blew the wind

999

I gave her cheek a hearty smack
As leaning on her neck
Her soft hair trailed adown her back
Without a mark or Speck

Within the dyke the bullrush grew
Although the place was dry
And Thrushes nest wi Eggs o' blue
Did on the hedge ribs lye
The Woodbines in green leaves look'd wan
The Blue bell stooped i' pride
And there I claspt my bonny Ann
Along the greenwood side—

Oh bonny Ann Oh bonny Ann
What makes you look so fair
Is it the love for some fond man
Or is't for none you care
My love to thee my bonny Ann
Where primrose blooms wi' pride
Ill talk and please thee all I can
Down by the greenwood side—

THE RAWK O' THE AUTUMN

The rawk o' the Autumn hangs over the woodlands
Like smoke from a City dismember'd and pale
The sun without beams burns dim o'er the floodlands
Where white Cawdymaws slow swiver and sail

1000

The flood froths away like a fathomless ocean
The wind winnows chill like a breeze from the sea
And thoughts of my Susan give the heart an emotion
To think does she e'er waste a thought upon me

Full oft I think so on the banks of the meadows
While the pale Cawdymawdy flies swooping all day
I think of our true love where grass & flowers hid us
As by the dyke side o' the meadows we lay
The seasons have chang'd since I sat wi my true love
Now the flood roars & raves o'er the bed where we lay
There the bees kiss'd the flowers—Has she got a new love
I feel like a wreck of the flood cast away

The rawk of the Autumn hangs over the woodland
Like smoke from a City sulphurously grey
The Heronshaw lonely hangs over the floodland
And cranks its lone story throughout the dull day
There's no green on the hedges no leaves on the darkwood
No cows on the pasture or sheep on the lea
The Linnets cheep still & how happy the lark would
Sing songs to sweet Susan to remind her of me

THE SONGS OF OUR LAND

The Songs of our land are they not worth reviving
To sing o'er brown stout by the English fire side
They are national links 'gainst deception contriving
That spread over oceans & lands far and wide

1001

They sing of our homes which great heroe's have bled for
And the child o'er its horn book doth well understand
That its birth's not a slavery which it learns to abhor
Thro reading & singing the songs of his land

The Songs of the land sing of Englishmans freedom
The songs of our land cheer the hearts that are true
While they've voices to sing or fond hearts to read em
And heroes to guard them in scarlet or blue
The songs of our land are made for our comfort
While on settles or chairs by our cottage fireside
A fig for your priestcraft I'd give not a crumb for't
A priest-ridden nation I ne'er could abide

The Songs of our land are like ancient landmarks
And curs'd be the traitor who takes one away
Would man sell his birthright to literal land sharks
And leave home & friends to the stranger a prey
We'll have nought o' the kind brave the nerves & be steady
The one in bright scarlet the other true blue
Let the foe come & welcome we're all waiting ready
Rose, Thistle and Shamrock united are true

THE SAILOR BOY

Tis three years & a quarter sin I left my own fireside
To go aboard a ship through love & plough the ocean wide
I cross'd my native fields where the scarlet poppies grew
And the ground lark left his nest like a neighbour which I knew

1002

The pigeons from the dove cote cooed over the old lane
The crow flocks from the oakwood went flopping o'er the grain
Like lots of dear old neighbours whom I shall see no more
They greeted me that morning I left the English shore

The sun was just a rising above the heath o' furze
And the shadows grow to giants that bright ball never stirs
There lay the shepherds with their dogs by their side
And they started up and bark'd as my shadow they espied

A maid o' early morning twirl'd her mop upon the moor
I wished her my farewell before she closed the door
My fields I left behind me for other places new
Crows & pigeons all were strangers as oer my head they flew

Trees and bushes were all strangers the hedges & the lanes
The steeples & the houses & broad untrodden plains
I pass'd the pretty milk maid wi' her red & rosy face
I know not where I met her I was strange to the place

At last I saw the Ocean a pleasing sight to me
I stood upon the shore of a mighty glorious sea
The waves in easy motion went rolling on their way
English colours were a flying where the British Squadron lay

I left my honest parents the church clock & the village
I left the lads & lasses the labour and the tillage
To plough the briny ocean which soon became my joy
I sat and sang among the shrouds a lonely sailor boy

1003

MY BETSEY DEAR

My Betsey dear my early love
Where shall I meet with thee
By dark oak grove or willow grove
Or by the Hawthorn tree
My Ardent love to thee I'd prove
Sacred it deeply burns within
I swear by truth and light above
None else my love shall win
Can you be false to me
Dear maid
Can you be false to me

Your cottage hid in willow trees
I see the chimney smoke
Nature brings all its charms to please
And nothing to provoke
I think I see your long dark hair
As stooping o'er your flowers
An houri you to me are there
At morn & evetide hours
Then do you think of me
Dear maid
Say do you think of me?

Love is not false it cannot be
Let lies say what they will
Twas Heaven to me to think of thee
I'm thinking of thee still
To see thy first averted looks
It made me strange awhile
While passing by meandering brooks

1004

With heaven in thy smile
That smiling face of thine
Dear maid
That smiling face of thine

My boyish fancy lov'd to hear
The music from thy tongue
Like to a fountain gushing clear
They broke forth in a song
I look'd down on the sparkling brook
Up at the skies above
And what I said to thy sweet look
Was nothing but true love
Yes love of purest mould
Dear maid
Love of the purest mould

THE PROMISE

You promised to meet me at e'en
Beside the river bank so green
You promised & you've never been
Or ever told me why
The white thorn then was in the bud
Now nuts have ripen'd in the wood
Come love again
Lost vows explain
Your absence makes me sigh

The white thorn gan to spread their leaves
Im dis-appointed these two eves
True love they say never deceives
You should not promise wrong

1005

The corn had not began to shoot
Now it is ripe and so is fruit
And on this hill
Fond love I will
My visits still continue long

The nuts are falling frae the lims
I'm picking them like luve i' dreams
How white & flurried Ailsy seems
To pass me on the way
A bramble caught her Tartan gown
Eer she the broken wall stept down
And all her charms
Were in my arms
When I caught her on that day

She blush'd as sweet Briar rose within
Syne white as lilys all her skin
The sweet briar blushes all went in
And Ailsy sigh'd to say
She'd been to service all the year
'Mong solemn folk on Island drear
The Solway foam
She cross'd frae home
And left young Jamie far away

Young Jamie gie[d] her nuts to crack
And lap't his arm around her back
And gave her cheek a hearty smack
My Ailsy dear said he
You've well explain'd your absence a
And now on[e] payment stands for a
Ill wed thee deary
And bed thee deary
Then thou and love my ain shall be

1006

WILL YE GANG MARY

And will ye gang Mary and never more see me
I' yer silks and yer satins and a' such fine gear
When I told ye the truth ye would not bele'e me
And truth wad na keep away a the lang year
For shame o' thee Mary to be so deceiving
The birds will [be] mocking o' a she pretends
Love's only plain truth or its no use believing
Love and Falsehood they ne'er cam together as friends

There's muckle o' gale over love becomes mangled
O sighs and o' tears sometimes faus as tis fair
Tis not the frail thing on a dandys arm dangled
That posesses one spark o' that blessing so rare
As the dew o' the morning in dripples o' pearl
As the velvet hued bloom of the sweet scented pea
My heart's beating love for that innocent girl
That wears both the name & resemblance o thee

There's nothing like to it so tender and fair
In the dew o the morning or scent o' the flower
In the joy or the gloom o its love or despair
There's nought mistaen for it to this very hour
And will ye gang mary & never mair see me
Then nature maun perish afore my love dee
The wild rose bluims sweet in the hedges bele'e me
When you see its bluim Mary think upon me

1007

SONG

[The mist rauk is hanging]

The mist rauk is hanging
Over turnip fields green
The wood gate is banging
Where hunters are seen
The brown leaves are dancing
About on the green
The horses are prancing
Where the hounds hurry in

Where Lucy stands knocking
Her clogs at the gate
Bright shoes & white stocking
Are killing of late
Wi cotton or silk on
What man could forbear
Where Lucy sits milking
To kiss if he dare

The Maples turn yellow
Hazels crimson & brown
Oaks still keep their colour
Popples fade & fall down
When a milking goes Lucy
Where woodbramble weaves
T[he] winds wont excuse ye
But pelts her wi leaves

On her new gown and bonnet
They patter and fall
Leaving no stain upon it
They pat and thats all

1008

Crows quawk & swoop over
Like chimney sweep crows
Lucy milks under cover
Nor sullies her clothes

Home rambles young Lucy
With her milk buckets twain
Oer grass fields were dews be
And rut brimming lane
She sings songs till sunday
When she offers her vows
And in drab frock on monday
Goes milking the cows

LOVELY ELLEN

Happy Ellen near thy dwelling
True love wanders night and day
Nothing fearing ever hearing
What my charmer has to say

Can I please thee do I tease thee
Happy Ellen prythee say
Near thy dwelling Haughty Ellen
Fancy wanders every day

At the windows like a cinder
Burning with too hot desire
I am speaking true love seeking
To quench the flame and damp the fire

1009

Lovely Ellen near thy dwelling
I love sick wander night and day
On thy bosom grief dispeling
Every sorrow fades away

I'LL GANG AND SEE PHEMIE

I'll gang and see Phemie she's fair and she's asy
She's as trim as new pins & as bright as a daisy
Her love's born to charm & never to fraze ye
So I'll gang and see Phemie the Irishmans joy
Och! her gown is the slate color Paddy my dear
I'll love her my honey through all the long year
Its with her my fancy I jist like to employ
And I'll set myself down as her tight Irish boy

So I laid down my hoe by the side o the praters
The sun had gone down in the best o' good natures
In the fold lay the sheep purty innocent craturs
And Phemie's the same to an Irishmans eye
I got to her cabin—Say's I, Phemie my dear
I'm that same that is standing a waiting here
Come in says she Paddy and dont look so quere
In I went I belave ye a light Irish boy—

Sure Phemie says I, I'm in love wi the name o' ye
If I be'nt its loves truth they're all crying shame o' ye
I'm come to make love to ye, now don't make game o' me
Ye been my own blood & skin the whole of the year

1010

Arrah Paddy says Phemie ye's are surely a dreaming
Why don't ye sit as'y its bothered yer seeming
The same as when Donny brook races yer leaving
When you gave me an orange Paddy my dear

So make yerself asy my young bothered starling
Youre seated & welcome if Phemie's yer darling
So I gave her a kiss wi'out snicking or snarling
And fondly I took to my arms my own dear
I said my dear Phemie better see the Priest sent for
The truth o' that same was all that I went for
And the Priest wi his book leaves me nought to repent for
Her names on my heart & I'll keep it here—

COME IN THE MORNING

Come in the morning the sunrises clear
The dew's on the cowslip the thorn & the brere
Come at the noon in the suns hottest glow
The elm's throw dark shadows wherever they grow
Come in the even when the suns left the skies
And the bloom o' the sweet brere holds Pearls i' their eyes
Come at all times and seasons you surely will be
Always welcome & more when you come to see me

1011

I went at the Even the Heaven was slate grey
And the wild blossom's blooming bedeck'd the road way
Horse shoe leav'd mallows wi plush satin flowers
All covered wi blossoms blush'd up to the doors
The green linnets nest o' moss drift and wool
Was snug in the white thorn stretching over the pool
Hen's ruffled their feathers & to their roosts flew
And the gate stood half open to let me through

She met me & smiled from the open door too
Our kisses both met as we said ‘How d'ye do’
And when I got in I kissed her again
While the pert province roses peep'd in at the pane
I sat there & courted neath a sky full o' stars
And she sat beside me like Venus and Mars
I was evermore welcome whenever I went
When the moonlight it glinted upon grass or bent

I went—I was welcome whenever I went
When the daiseys turn'd buttons—dew beaded the bent
At morning or evening whenever I came
Her kisses were sweet How I worship her name
At the noon when the Elm shadows darkened her door
I took hasty kisses more sweet than before
Nor care I what trouble or care I may see
Since Mary Susannah thinks upon me—

1012

OH WHAT SO SWEET AS LOVE

How much of time the lover throws away
How many useless journeys will he stray
To win the object of his hearts desires
When the moon rises and the sun retires
When purple pea blooms glisten in nights dew
The lovers walk with maidens that are true
The silvery moon the while on white thorns shine
As fond and faithfully I went with mine

In moonlit shadows we with one consent
Down the footpath by the greenwoodside went
The nightingale poured all its music out
And the Owl hooted as he swooped about
The gate swung gently as she stept across
The old stone tunnel—where the snorting horse
Made her heart startle into fears surprise
While moonbeams fast asleep on greensward lies

Oh! what so sweet! or beautiful as love
Whispered by moonlight by woodside or grove
Where the beams asleep lie on the grass
Hears not the whispers of my blooming lass
Nor notes one kiss in quiet evetide given
On loves young cheek beneath the light of Heaven
Our vows in kisses breathe from hearts in tune
Oh sweet are kisses neath the pale round moon

The long dark shadows seem like lurking elves
And though we whisper know all like ourselves
How beautiful the pale round moon appears
Through her black hair peepeth the maids white ears
Just as white lilys thr[o]ugh dark ground looks through
On lovers secrets in the moonlight dew
I kisst her lips drove all her tears away
Till truth grew dumb and love no more could say

1013

AN ANECDOTE OF LOVE

When April & dew brings primroses here
I think love of you at the Spring o' the year
Did I harbour bad words when your garter fell off
I to stoop was deterred but I stood not to scoff
A bitt of brown list of small value must be
But as it lay there 'twas a diamond to me

Ere back you turned to pick it up
I noticed well the place
For children there for violets stoop
With many a rosey face
I fain would stoop myself you see
But dare not well presume
The Blackbird sung out let it be
The maid was in her bloom

How beautiful that ancle was
From which that garter fell
And lusty was the bonny lass
Whose name I dare not tell
I know the colour of her gown
Her bonnet Ribbon too
The fairest maiden in the town
Is she that wears the blue

Though years have gone but when I see
The green spot where it fell
The stitchwort flower delighteth me
There blooming in the dell
And years may come no winter seers
The green haunts of the Dove
Those wild flowers stand the bl[i]ght of years
Sweet anecdotes of love—

1014

FARE THEE WELL

Fare thee well till next we meet
The winters snows and sleet
Has chilled our summers heat
Fare thee well
There bloom'd the small heath bell
My dear one loved so well
And the heather too as well
In the dell

The woodbine round white thorn
Smelt sweet at early morn
Where little birds were born
In the nest
By the scented thymy hill
Where the wheat ear wipes her bill
We sat and loved our fill
Truly blest

Though winter warps the ground
As if twas iron bound
Pleasant days shall yet be found
When flowers appear
She'll again come to renew
Her love promises so true
By the pretty heath bell blue
Growing near

Oh tis a pleasant place
When the wild rose shews its face
And the Ivy trails embrace
Gnarled oak trees

1015

We'll meet where we've oft met
For the winters on the fret
And the Primrose closed as yet
Does appear

[Language has not the power to speak what love indites]

Language has not the power to speak what love indites
The soul lies buried in the Ink that writes

THE MAID I LOVE

The maid I love is fair as driven snow
Her raven curls around her white neck flow
Like light from the darkness comes above
Is the beautiful girl that I love—

The maid I love is like the wild hedge rose
That by woodside in the hedge row blows
Her lily hand is hidden in a glove
Soft are the features of the maid I love

An heart hidden thought it seems to me
A womans worth is there in a maids simplicity
Hope glances on her eyelids from above
Oh sweet is the presence of the maid I love—

1016

As roses in the green bud lie concealed
In the summers sunny breath are revealed
So in hidden thought that fair one I approve
Who will waken up my heart to her love—

ROSES

Go rose my Chloe's bosom grace
How happy should I prove
Could I supply that envied place
With ever fading love

Accept dear Maid now summer glows
This pure unsullied gem
Loves Emblem in a full blown rose
Just broken from the stem

Accept it tis a favoured flower
For thy soft breast to wear
Twill blossom there its transient hour
A favourite of the fair—

Upon thy cheek its blossom glows
As from a mirror clear
Making thyself a living rose
In blossom all the year

It is a sweet and favorite flower
To grace a maidens brow
Emblem of Love without its power
A sweeter rose art thou

1017

The rose like hues of insects wing
May perish in an hour
Tis but at best a fading thing
But thou'rt a living flower—

The roses steep'd in morning dews
Holds every eye in thrall
But woman she alone subdues
Her beauty conquers all

I WISH I WAS A LITTLE BIRD

I wish I was a little bird
To sing in my loves ear
The dearest tale that e'er was heard
Mary Boyfield she should hear
I love'd her in [my] early days
And I love her dearly still
From all she meets with willing praise
And no one means her ill—

I wish I was a little bird
To whistle in her ear
A song by nature never heard
As tender as tis dear
To wake the soul up in her eyes
The love within her breast
And all those happy extacies
Where love with her doth rest—

1018

Could I with Mary Boyfield be
A singing little bird
I'd sing her songs of mirth and glee
As love has never heard
I'd kiss the moles upon her breast
The roses on her cheeks
And that should be my place of rest
For hours and days aye weeks

The violets o the hedge and grove
The brere hedge roses grace
But sweet is Mary Boyfields love
Tis blushing in her face
Oh! could I all my secret tell
Could I that maid caress
The maiden I do love so well
Id all my love confess—

There's nothing in the world so sweet
There's nought so fair to see
So choice so lovely and complete
As my Mary is to me
Oh! would I were the little bird
That sings in yonder grove
I'd sing the song that neer was heard
O' bonny Mary's love—

1019

DO YE LIKE THE HEATH LASSIE

Do ye like the heath lassie
There to hear the wild bee
The Ring fingers brassey
The Blue skipper free
Up and down dancing
Out oer the lea
In the sun glancing
Then wander with me

Take up your bonnet love
On with your shawl love
The walk depend on it love
Is pleasant for all love
Do ye like the hills maiden
Oer laden with thyme
With rock roses braiden
Shining bright and divine

Do ye like the furze prickly
Yellow over with flower
And crimpt brake looking sickly
In the sunsetting hour
The heather heath maiden
Do you like it or no
Then put on your plaiden
And off we will go—

There the spinning bee fly
At the Foxglove hath spun
Then darts from the eye
Like a shot from a gun

1020

Do ye like the heath maiden
Its mole hills o' thyme
With the rock roses braiden
Then up let us climb

Thy bonnet put on love
And fold on thy shawl
From its rest the Doves gone love
Light shines over all
Dost thou love the heath maiden
Furze bush, flower and tree
And the rock roses braiden
The hills follow me

MY BEAUTIFUL NANNY

Oh Nanny your face wears the hue of the morning
There's nothing so bonny as you dearest Nanny
Your hair like the clouds oer the sunshine adorning
Your face is the fullest of beauty of any
My own pretty Nanny my beautiful Nanny
Oh give me one more o' those beautiful smiles
I'll face the worlds scorn the proudest of many
For no kind o' ambition sweet Nanny beguiles

A face she has got such the Queen might be proud on
Yet Nanny heeds nothing o' praises she hears
The pebble paved brook the clear water raves loud on
Is not half so sweet as my Nanny appears
Her lips red as cherries her eyes bright as pearl
Her neck's like the lily her hair raven black
My Nanny's the fairest sweet beautiful girl
As straight as a Fir dale Hips, shoulder and back

1021

Sweet Nanny my beautiful Nanny come here
How green grows the meadow how shady the tree
The brook underneath it runs beautiful clear
Round Nanny's black gown how delighted the bee
Oh Nanny's bright eyes dearly love the wild flowers
The level green meadow the dark spreading tree
How happy I'd feel in these green sunny hours
If my Nanny vouch[s]afes to smile kindly on me

COME HITHER ISABEL

The sun is shining on the leaves
Of many a pleasant place
And sweet the healthy morning breathes
Upon the maidens face
The wild hedge roses down the lane
Lends to the Peach its hue
The lovers heart it sets on flame
They are beautiful and true

Come in the fields sweet Isabel
My Isabella come
Beneath the Beech loves tale I'll tell
This bank shall be her home
The wind shall wake its song for thee
The sweet aeolian wind
That sets the leaves in dancing glee
And leaves rich health behind—

1022

Those scenes my Isabella loves
The water and the plain
And the old oak trees spreading groves
The sweetest place to name
So come my Isabella here
Enjoy the health of morn
The leaves so green the water clear
Sweet is the rustling corn

The mansion leave my Isabell
And walk the fields with me
Come where delight is sure to dwell
Where nature reigneth free
As shepherd girl in gown of green
Come hither love and dwell
The morning sky the oaks dark green
Come hither Isabel

WOMAN HAD WE NEVER MET

Woman had we never met
I nor thou had felt regret
Never had a cause to sigh
Never had a wish to die
To part and cease to love thee

1023

Had I shared the smallest part
Of friendship from a womans heart
Never had I felt the pains
Of these ever galling chains
Or ever ceased to love thee

And never on my burning brow
Felt the cain curses I do now
That withers up the anxious brain
Blighting what never blooms again
When woman ceased to love me

The Spring may come the sun may shine
The earth may send forth sweets divine
What pain I've felt have still to know
The nought in Nature e'er to show
Since woman ceased to love me

Woman had we never met
Love had witnessed no regret
Never left us cause to sigh
Or me a vainer wish to die
To part and cease to love thee

WRITTEN IN PRISON

I envy e'en the fly its gleams of joy
In the green woods from being but a boy
Among the vulgar and the lowly bred
I envied e'en the hare her grassy bed

1024

Innured to strife and hardship from a child
I traced with lonely step the desert wild
Sigh'd o'er bird pleasures but no nest destroyed
With pleasure felt the singing they enjoyed
Saw nature smile on all and shed no tears
A slave through ages though a child in years
The mockery and scorn of those more old
An Esop in the worlds extended fold
The fly I envy settling in the sun
On the green leaf and wish my goal was won

SONNET

[I love to see the summer beaming forth]

I love to see the summer beaming forth
And white wool rock clouds sailing to the north
I love to see the wild flowers come again
And Mare blobs stain with gold the meadow drain
And water lilies whiten on the flood
Where reed clumps rustle like a wind shook wood
Where from her hiding place the Moor Hen pushes
And seeks her flag nest floating in bull rushes
I like the willow leaning half way o'er
The clear deep lake to stand upon its shore
I love the hay grass when the flower head swings
To summer winds and insects happy wings
That sport about the meadow the bright day
And see bright beetles in the clear lake play

1025

THE MAPLE TREE

The Maple with its tassell flowers of green
That turns to red a stag horn shaped seed
Just spreading out its scallopped leaves is seen
Of yellowish hue yet beautifully green
Bark ribb'd like corderoy in seamy screed
That farther up the stem is smoother seen
Where the white hemlock with white umbel flowers
Up each spread stoven to the branches towers
And mossy round the stoven spread dark green
And blotched leaved orchis and the blue bell flowers
Thickly they grow and neath the leaves are seen
I love to see them gemm'd with morning hours
I love the lone green places where they be
And the sweet clothing of the Maple tree

MY AIN HEART LOVE IS THINE

My ain heart love is thine
If I'd the mair to spare
Love thoughts are pure as heaven divine
They're Truth and naething mair
And thine is truth or has been sae
Till parting made us twain
The spring that makes the grasses grow
Will sure come green again

1026

Thy voice will come a shorter way
Than e'er it did of yore
For we've been married many a day
And coyness now is o'er
Ive wiped the gold dust frae thy shoe
As we clomb the King Cup hill
And brush'd thy new gown often too
And I felt no kind of ill—

To see and only just to see
Those bubbies shaking oer
Your stays as white as curds they be
Till I dare look no more
When I come by your pleasant town
I'll whisper what loves hid sae long
And walk the knob weed pasture brown
And kiss thee as we walk along—

And will it be at Christmas time
Or will it be at Spring
In winter or when flowers are prime
Love is a pleasing thing
The pasture seats are made for rest
We'll sit at eventide
And then I'll kiss thy snowy breast
And nestle by thy side

And think upon love days gone by
How beautiful they past
Yet nothing shines in loves bright sky
Sae lovely as the last
To kiss and say farewell and then
To kiss sae loathe to part
Then say fare well agen—and then
Stay on till forced to start

1027

And when were auld and past the waurk
We'll may be scant o grace
But gie wa to the younger foulk
And let em take our place
To teach them best the means o grace
Teach truth and naething mair
We'll let the childer tak our place
And yoke the kind afore

THE SHEPHERDS DAUGHTER

How sweet is every length'ning day
And every change of weather
When summer comes on skies blue grey
And brings her hosts together
Her flocks of birds her crowds of flowers
Her sunny shining water
I dearly love the woodbine bowers
That hides the Shepherds daughter
In gown o' green or brown or blue
The shepherds daughter leal and true

How bonny is her lily breast
How sweet her rosey face
She'd gie my aching bosom rest
Where love would find its place
While earth is green and skies are blue
And sunshine gilds the water
While summers sweet and natures true
I'll love the Shepherds daughter
Her nut brown hair her clear bright eye
My daily thought my only joy

1028

She's such a simple sweet young thing
Dressed in her country costume
My wits had used to know the Spring
Till I saw, and lov'd, and lost em
How quietly the Lily lies
Upon the deepest water
How sweet to me the summer skies
And so is the Millers daughter
With lily breast and rosy face
The sweetest maid in ony place

My singing bird my bonny flower
How dearly could I love thee
To sit with thee one pleasant hour
If thou would'st but approve me
I swear by lilies white and yellow
That flower on deepest water
Would'st thou but make me happy fellow
Id wed the Shepherds daughter
By all thats on the earth or water
I more than love the Shepherds daughter

GOOD E'ENIN TO YE LASSIE

Good e'enin to ye lassie
And are ye a' alone
Ye're so sweet I cannot pass ye
May I ask ye for my own

1029

Its true I am alane sir
And I need scarce reply
That I canna be your own sir
Unless Minnie she were by
I'm oe'r young to marry
The truth I dare na tell
I'm mair the mind to tarry
Though I lov'd ye like my sel

I went some e'enins arter
To the same green lovely dell
The brook rimmed by its laughter
I love brook music well
The woodbine smelt so sweet
The ground larks notes did swell
There again I chanced to meet
The maiden in the dell
Her smiles were sweet as hinney
As from her eyes they fell
Sir I've been to ask my minny
And her answers like my sel

Her frock it caught a bramble
And I took the thorn away
On the heath we both did ramble
Till the gouden west turn'd grey
I ca'd her dearest hinney
And she never said me nay
Sir Ive been to ask my minny
And my minny says you may
I kisst her on the cheek
And nae further will I tell
And what she dare na speak
But she loved me as hersel

1030

And I claspt her round the waist
And kisst her oer the chin
And I tenderly embraced
As ain o Minneys kin
When summer time went by
And winters cauld returned
Still love lived in her eye
And her lily bosom burned
When Spring come to the glen
Where we had often tarried
I loved her better than mysen
And both on's got married

SWEETLY COMES THE GRASSY SUMMER

Sweetly comes the grassy summer
And the bee its minstrel hummer
And the Swallow a new comer
Winged serpents oer the lea
Swimming in a serpentine
While their glossy black backs shine
From the sun that gleams divine
Oer wheatfield, lake and tree
Then come sweet Julia in thy prime
And we'll enjoy the summer time

Light is the cloud and bright the skies
And rich the wings of butterflies
Like Argus with a hundred eyes
Go skipping through the day

1031

Dancing from flower to clover flower
In the warm and wanton hour
And on the white thorn blooming bower
Upon the clumps of May
Come Julia in thy youthful prime
And let's enjoy the summer time

We'll go where waters clear are flowing
We'll go where green the grass is growing
We'll go where sweet the wind is blowing
Among the willows grey
So come along my dearest Julie
Ill court thee in the meadows duly
By white thorn hedges love thee truly
And spend the summers day
On grass banks sit in pleasant weather
And gather wild flowers both together

MY YOUNG JOHN HIGHLAND MAN

Away wi cares and ither waurk
And granny need na look so fretty
Though I put on my Sunday sark
And look me out my dimsey petty
My cotton hose and purple shoon
My bonnie gown o' Tartan plaid
And gang and seek my laddie soon
My bonny young John Heeland lad
The bouldest youth aneath the sun
Is my ain bauld John Heeland man

1032

I'll tear nae mair my claes in twain
To drive my laddies voice fra me
Fu aft I hear him in the rain
And wind that waves the mountain tree
Aye I'll put on my Sunday sark
My net laced cap and bridal gear
Till sundays e'en nae langer waurk
But gang and meet wi Johnny dear
The bauldest lad aneath the sun
Is my young Johnny Heeland man

Why din ye meet me when ye can
And be yer Ailsies Heeland man
My bonny shoon are fine and bra
I canna scarcely squeeze them on
Why were the souters e'en sae sma
He guessed I had em trim for John
I'll e'en tak these na half so fine
Yet neither much the warse for waur
For I maun keep the Laddie mine
Or he'll gang daft in deep despair
The bauldest lad aneath the sun
Is my young Johnny Heeland man

I've pinned me bun and now Ill gae
Nay stay Ill plait my hair in braids
My Auburn hair he loves me sae
I'll be for aye his Heeland maid
He said I beat the rosy brere
That blooms aside our garden pales
My e'en the bonny brook sae clear
That whimpling laughs alang the vales
My bonny bauld John Heeland man
Im sure to meet thee if I can

1033

My hairs in braid my bonnets on
And oer the hills Im sure to gae
My shawl m[a]y hang my arm upon
To keep the night and dews away
Sweet shines the goud upon the broom
And sweet the blush upon the heather
Why dinna Johnny nearer come
That we may sooner meet thegether

COME SIT WI THE BIRDIES

Come sit wi the birdies thou bonny young maiden
The goud spink and Blackbird & don't be affraid
They sing where the Hawthorn the waterfall shading
Hangs over the gulf in May blossoms arrayed
In her Bridal white dress extending her arms
As if to embrace other bushes & may
Come love to green places in meadows & farms
And like the white thorn be thy love all the day
Where the yellow flag down by the meadow pool stood
And the pink ragged robin dips down to the flood

How sweet bluims the paigle the gowan & primrose
Baith yellow and blue by the side o the burn
And under the gouden broom clearly the brook flows
You can just see the siller light now when it turns
I court thee my love in the language of truth
Awhile in the forest love let us sojourn

1034

For loving and fond is the bosom of Ruth
Sae come and we'll wander away to the burn
And hear the Muir cock gie its heart stirring ca
Where the hay scented Thistle bluims bonny and bra

We will mark the clear water that smooth[e]s the chaf'd pebble
And sit on the breckan bank crispy and green
Till it gets to a sand heap and scarcely can dribble
Washed up by the flood in the valleys so green
And there we'll both gang till the closing o' eve
And saftly I'll press the fond bosom of Ruth
While the Butterfly flutters to sit on her sleeve
I'll sit down and tell her a story of truth
We'll look oer a landscape as Eden divine
And I'll kiss and believe that Ruth she is mine

ALONG THE WILLOW BANKS OF NEN

Along the willow banks of Nen
Where bows the bullrush tall
I wander from the ways of men
And get released from thrall
Winds rustling in the flags & sedge
That pucker o'er the stream
In ruffles to the waters edge
How beautiful they seem
Cool and refreshing is the flood
It does the weary spirits good

1035

There's nought so sweet as summer winds
Their soft and perfumed wings
That every wild flowers dwelling finds
And to their blossom clings
Theres nothing half so soft or sweet
It helps the busy bee
Trees, bushes, dance where'er they meet
Its rural minstrelsy
They bend and bow and then are still
As summer winds their mins[t]rels will

How beautiful the river glides
And wanders at its will
What plashing ripples wash its tides
And crinkle further still
How beautiful the gurgling noise
The shingly pebbles make
The fish leap up as many boys
Are playing ‘Duck and Drake’
Fish leap in rings and rush and sedge
Conveys them to the waters edge

Here could I but my Hannah see
The winds play in her Auburn hair
On the green bank beside o' me
Her red rose Cheek so plump and fair
How beautiful the place would be
How brighter far the flowing stream
Millions of suns in spangles flee
Tis doubly happy so to dream
And this green place secure from ill
Makes Hannahs memory dearer still

1036

THE CHIMING BELLS

How peaceful sound the chiming bells
From yonder lonely tower
That o'er the cornfield valley swells
And beanfields all in flower
Calmly they reach the shepherds ear
As he oer upland climbs
No day to him is half so dear
As sunday with its chimes

The beanfields make the air so sweet
In pink and purple plea
How beautiful the lake we meet
And the willow weeping tree
Decayed by time a very shell
And bent as tumbling in
The pit so deep we cannot tell
Much deeper than the chin

How beautiful the sunday looks
To any other day
How green the fields how clear the brooks
Beneath the white thorn may
How beautiful from yon old tower
The chimes their story tells
Theres little in the summer hour
So sweet as chiming bells—

Come dear Amanda walk with me
Let us enjoy the prime
Of field and meadow scenery
And hear the sabbath chime
We'll walk beneath the willow row
Where screaming plover dwells
And with the winding river go
And hear the Sabbath bells

1037

AN ANGEL IN THE SUMMER HOURS

In the bloom of June arrayed
When the grass is fit to mow
Barley spindling in the blade
And the turnips on the grow
Beside the meadow bank
I lay gazing at the sky
The cows stared round & drank
When a maiden passed me by
In hat of straw & ribbons gay
Her face like roses all the way

The thistle flowers with prickles burred
The blue caps in the corn so blue
Hot headaches like a fire new stirred
Nigh burnt the lookers through
So burnt her cheek aneath the sun
Her dark brown hair was hung in curls
She stood where meadow waters run
And deeply rolled with frothy swirls
Through flag clumps full o yellow flowers
An angel in the summer hours—

I said some words and she replied
And pauzeing tied her hat anew
Red hot grew poppies by her side
And blue caps most divinely blue
I would have kiss'd her on the cheek
Her dimsey waist I long'd to span
But purling like a silver streak
Between us both the waters ran
A lone and undivided lot
Soft words and looks were all I got

1038

I saw her in the meadow lake
In every flower the maid appear'd
The lark seem'd singing for her sake
And every bloom the maid endeared
In fancy's ear she spoke as plain
And soft and lovely as before
My eyes looked after her in vain
And saw the meadow as before
Yet till the mirk eve lowered the sky
Her spirit seem'd as lingering nigh

HERES A HEALTH TO SCOTLAND

Heres a health to bonny Scotland and the land o the west
Heres a health to bonny Scotland as the land I loo the best
I've a love for the mountain and the freedom o the flood
And the bonny sight o Highland hills it does my spirits good
Heres a love for bonny lasses and a health for honest men
The dwellers on the mountains and the tenants o' the glen
I've drank old Scotlands health and I mean to do it still
And my own hearts bluid for liberty is left upon yon hill—

Where the boldest men have conquered and freedom truly won
Upon the Scottish mountains beneath a glorious sun
I've done it ance or twice for that highly favored land
And I'll do it ance agen wi my claymore in my hand
And charge wi all her chivalry the flower o Highlan men
And the bonnet and the Thistle shall cross the Tweed agen
Shall cross the Tweed for liberty and leave the English free
For her union is the roses & I'll never spoil the tree

1039

So here's a health to Scotland o' the whiskey gill
And may her claymore ne'er be drawn for honest body's ill
When the bayonets on the musket and the claymore from the sheath
Let each stroke be for Liberty for guilty tyrants death
His bluid shall stain the heather who our Scottish right defames
And Bannockburn is living still that tyrant felon shames
So here's a health to Scotland the freest of the free
Her ain laws are the bible which speaks of Liberty

PRETTY KATE KEARNEY

Kate Kearney is bonny the queen o' ould Erin
The gem o' the emerald Island so green
By the lake o Killarney the morn sun appearing
Is nothing more bright than the bonny young queen
She blooms like the morning
The mountains adorning
Sweet Kittys the gem o the mountain so green

Oh Kitty's as fair as the rose wet wi e'ening
And sweet as the apple just pulled from the tree
While her beautiful head on her white hand is leaning
She's just the choice Angel to bother poor me
Her eyes diamond lustres
Her dark curls in clusters
Went nigh to the death and the finish o' me

1040

I sat down and sigh'd by the lake o Killarney
When bonny Kate pass'd wi such life in her face
She turn'd round and laugh'd and called it a blarney
That a man should be sitting alane in that place
Sae I ventured to meet her
In love words to greet her
And sweet were the smiles that she left in my face

I went on beside her the pretty Kate Kearney
And call'd her my hinney my darlint & dear
She says my young man are you bent on a journey
I muttered excuses and look'd rather queer
As she went on smiling
And look'd so beguiling
I spake bold and won her when no one was near

MARY HELEN FROM THE HILL

The flaggy wheat is in the ear
At the low end of the town
And the barley horns begin to spear
Frae the spindle through the crown
The black snail he has crept abroad
In dangers ways to run
And midges oer the road
Are dancing in the sun
Where firdales darkest shadows leave
Sweet Mary Hellen walks at eve

1041

In the deep dyke grows the reed
The bullrush wabbles deeper still
And oval leaves of water weed
The dangerous deeper places fill
The river winds and feels no ill
How lovely sinks the setting sun
The fish leaps up with trembling trill
Grasshoppers chirrup on the reed
The mead so green the air so still
Evening assembles sweet indeed
With Mary Hellen from the Hill
Who wanders by that rivers brim
In dewy flowers and shadows dim

Right merrily the midges dance
Above the river stream
Their wings like silver atoms glance
In evenings golden beam
The boat track by the rivers side
Where Mary Hellen roves
The cloud sky where the river wide
The banks of willow groves
And Mary Hellen in young pride
Rambling by the river side—

THE DEPARTED

And art thou doomed as one of those
To pass away and be forgot
So sweet as oped that summer rose
So green as seem'd that happy spot

1042

Where thou wast fairest of the fair
And dearer than ought else beside
Though much of sweetness blossom'd there
And thou too—to be cast aside

The lady of that splendid home
Is it no more thy place to be
Can strangers have the face to come
To ape the original of thee
The very flowers they know thy face
The birdies they all know thy voice
The trees put on their summer grace
And lawns grow velvet at thy choice

To think that some few days ago
This bloom of thought this flower of show
Should fade and disappear away
To senseless earth and noisome clay
Where all was life and gaiety
Now loathsome to the meanest eye
Hid in the dark and vaulted tomb
Where grass can't grow or flowers bloom

Those eyes of fire that kept awake
The lovers heart to bear & break
Are gone out dark in that lone cell
No more on earth in light to dwell
Death sighs that left that budding breast
Where Heavens own light her bosom blest
Like as a light cloud hides the sun
Her eyes closed when the worst was done

Friends might gaze and wonder why
That body could so silent lye
She lays so like the life in sleep
Her nearest kin could hardly weep

1043

That blessed spirit's has taken its flight
To the celestial source of light
A full blown rose pluck'd in its bloom
To fade and die in the silent tomb

LOST AS STRANGERS AS WE PASS

The summer rose in loves own hue
Blushes and blooms so fair and free
I gaze on the[e] with looks as true
Thou look'st on me and vacancy
Can'st thou look here and all forget
The place the time is nothing there
Then pity man whose so beset
And woman e'er was made so fair

Thy swelling breast is just the same
As when we met and lov'd so true
The Evening sun went down in flame
And shed her shower of pearly dew
My arm was o'er thy shoulders thrown
Thy gentle hand was held in mine
And now I pass to thee unknown
Thy eye that brightens only mine

I guess and know and own it not
We're lost as strangers and we pass
Though there's green places unforgot
Where love would clasp my bonny lass
Aye clasp her in the fondest arms
And hold her like a lump of love
The same flowers grow in fields and farms
The same blue sky is arched above

1044

JOHN THE CARPENTER

I know him not my mither dear
Youre always in his way
But when you're gone he's always here
Aye thretty times a day
He's always asking ‘Whats o Clock?’
And what we aynt to lend
Hes some strange loon a come to mock
If not my mothers friend

Guess not so rude uncouthly chield
He's maybe led astray
Wi thy white bosom let me feel't
If that will aught betray
She saw her wark was slowly done
No thread spun frae the rock
She own'd blood red the tell tale sun
Saw kisses near the clock

And when he kissed me aince mither
He wanted line and rule
And ask'd when kissing twice mither
What bairns I put to school
He gave me just half minute time
For thretty kisses more
I lov'd him mother for that crime
And saw him to the door

While roses wear anither hue
White lilies tell the truth
What makes ye turn sae pale my sue
About this stranger youth

1045

What makes me turn sae pale mither
Cause truth I dare no tell
Although you cross my breast mither
I maun keep that mysell

You ca him John the carpenter
And so think ither foulk
What that Priest doth at church aver
I[s] something past a joke
Mither its quite anither thing
That shortly will be seen
Our carpenters the lawful King
And I'm his scottish Queen

BESSY MACKAY

Oh saw ye my dearest
My Bessy Mackay
Oh saw ye my dearest
In the meadows to day
Yester eve she was roaming
These meadows at gloaming
Here sandy is coming
For Bessy Mackay

The dew's on the hemlocks
My Bessy Mackay
Like pearls on thy combed locks
My Bessy Mackay
Go home seeking Sandy
Yese never be handy
And eat sugar candy
For Bessy Mackay

1046

She says she wont hae you
Sae doting and vicious
You kickhaw and bray so
A kicks more delicious
I'm sent to say't Sandy
So make yourself handy
And seek sugar candy
Not Bessy Mackay

She's got ten too many
Has Bessy Mackay
And the first of the many
Is with her to day
She leans on his shoulder
He's proud to behold her
In His arms he'll enfold her
Sweet Bessy Mackay

Gae hame seeking Sandy
Gae hame wi ye go
And make yourself handy
Wi pleugh, spade, and hoe
Your blood is a' frozen
Leather leggins your hosen
Kirk yard shapes your clothes in
Not Bessy Mackay

Auld Sandy he died
O' the Blue Devil gripe
Leaving Bessy Mackay
A for kissing fu ripe
When she gave her denial
He took a small Phial
O Laudanum for trial
Poor Bessy Mackay

1047

Shes nae to sip sorrow
In spoonfuls o trouble
And die on the morrow
Baith threble & double
The neebors they glore it
But the Lassie got oer it
More sweet than before it
Luiks Bessy Mackay

JOCKEY SAID TO JENNY

Jockey said to Jenny ‘say will ye marry me
I've got one hempen sark and a single bawbee
Will ye marry me and we'll toddle o'er the braes
For the Miller brings ye nathing but the dust i' his claes

I wud na hae the Miller wi his claiding o' grey
Though I pass by his mill full ten times a day
Nor you Mr. Jockey wi your one hempen sark
Ise be happy in mysel and rise wi the lark

I rise wi the lark and gae singing to the kye
Whiles ye're a dirty man and sleep in a stye
Ye'se sleep in a stye Jock yese know well ye do
If I'm married to a Hottentot I winna wed you

Sae gang bout your ways Jock yese na my hearts desire
Take yer ane hempen sark and hang it on a briar
Hang it on a briar to fright the crows away
And gang away & hide yoursel to be seen na mair by day

1048

Then Jockey said to Jenny where can I hide mysel
The winters coldest day is hot as I can tell
Then Jenny shew'd her ain face & cured Jockeys ways
And turn'd away the Miller an the dust in his claes

Now Jockey is a married man that hauds at the plough
He knits his own Hose when Jenny milks the Cow
For Jenny puts the siller to Jockeys bawbee
Turns Twenty Pound in Sixpences and happy they both be

WHY DONT YE LOVE JANE

Jane why dont ye love Jane
In your own sweet arms love come and enfold me
For your face like the Rose is the sweetest that glows
It does my heart good to behold thee
Love—Love Jinney dear
Tis the spring o the year
O let me kiss thy sweet face and enfold thee
Let me lean on thy breast
And be lov'd into rest
For it does my soul good to behold thee
Jane—Jane—why dont ye love Jane
Little lambs love their Mithers and lay by their side
Twa double white Lilies they're full o will nill is
Let them be natures and dress like a bride
Love—Love in true love
Like the nest o' the dove

1049

And saft we will nestle by each ithers side
Take thy hair out o curls
Ise win mair than the worls
If ise be the Bridegroom and thou be the Bride—

LOVE MAKES US BAITH AGREE

I like the lad that's like mysel
Content to be alane
Though he's not a penny for to tell
And sits on the hearth stane
If he's a man—a comely man
My sweet heart he shall be
Contentment is the choicest plan
Love makes us baith agree

If he's the lad thats lotted out
Then Im the Lass mysell
We'll neither live in strife or doubt
But manage matters well
And if he is the lad for me
And I become his ain
Black slanderous tongues may disagree
The quarrels all in vain

I'll luiv and keep him all my sen
And gie him a' my heart
To me he'll be the man o' men
Love's wholly not a part
I hate to ain yer bits o' men
Like Tailors cabbage gear
Ill be his woman every night
He my man a' the year

1050

Ill love the man that's like mysel
Contented wi his ain
For Im content as a' may tell
To we[d] or lie alane
I little mind come weal or woe
Contented wi the gieing ont
The earth war made for love I know
And Im content wi living ont

ID GAZE MY SOUL ON THEE

I wish I was the wild woodbine
Twining round the white thorn bough
I wish I was the wild hedge rose
Upon thy bonny bosom now
To feel thy thumb and finger nip
About my twisted stem
The flowers now toutch thy ruby lip
To kiss their mornings gem
My flowers would kiss those lips o' thine
That kiss'd the dewdrops made divine
I wish I was what I am not
The wild flower nodding on the Lea
To win thy notice on the spot
And touch thy bosom fond and free
To touch thy bosom lily white
To kiss thy shoulders marble bright
And in thy bosom dwell
To be thy hearts one whole delight
In thought and sense as well
My hearts one love could I but be
A flower I'd gaze my soul on thee

1051

WE'LL WANDER THROUGH THE HEATHER

How brightly shines the heather
How yellow is the broom
Let us wander out together
Among the mountain bloom
Let us wanner by the burnie
On this pleasant dee
And take a lovers journey
Mary Aiken and me

We'll wanner O'er the mountain
We'll loiter in the dell
And we'll sit by the fountain
Both together by our sel
And we'll be pleased wi nature
The blossom and the bee
Thou beautiful in feature
I'll love thee and only thee

The gold drops on the broom
Like those upon thy breast
Are moulded on its bloom
At sunset in the west
The blush upon the brere
Sae courted by the bee
Are naething half so dear
As thy kisses are to me

We'll wanner through the heather
We'll hide amang the broom
And enjoy the simmer weather
And the mountains simmer bloom

1052

And well sit down by the braeken
And lovely scenes we'll see
For dear is Mary Aiken
As the blossom to the bee

SHE LOO'S ME BEST O' ANY

As simmer to the mountain
As blossoms to the bee
To thirst as is the fountain
Sae is Jeannies love to me
Fer dearly I love Jeannie
And Jeannie she loos me

Where I talked to Jeannie
The place I winna tell
I loo'd her best o any
She loo'd me just as well
Sae where I walk'd wi Jeannie
The place I wanna tell

Why the rose turned like the Lily
I am sure I canna tell
But there I kiss'd my Jeannie
Where the thorn grew by itsel
For well knows winsome Jeannie
That I love her love her well

1053

There the rose turn'd to the lily
I never ask'd her why
'Twas there I stole a kiss from Jeannie
But she made no reply
Sweet love within her heart has Jeannie
And beauty in her eye

I never wanner down the lane
Atween the late and early
The thorn tree seems the maid her sel
I always think o Jeannie
I always think and ever will
She loo's me best o any

HAD WE NE'ER LOVED

O had we ne'er looed one anither
We had neer been curs'd togither
Never shunned and never hated
Had we never been created

Woman in her own true nature
Is a fair and lovely creature
Man a savage from the wild
But when loved a very child

Had they ne'er been put togither
They'd ne'er slighted ane anither
Rift and scar[r]ed like clouds o' thunder
Now they're lost and lone asunder

1054

Lost in crowds and lone togither
Love says love ye one anither
Love's anither name for sorrow
Which from hate we often borrow

Our friends slight us in loves tether
Thus are hundreds join'd together
Love betrayed and passion slighted
Would they had not been united

Parted—keeps the bosom aching
Meeting keeps the heart from breaking
When will earths sin be forgiven
That is only known in Heaven

AMANG THE FLOWERS O' MAY

When the glittering daylight leaves
With the setting sun
And twilight us deceives
Then the heart of Rachel's won
We walk mong meadow daisies
While the clouds are sailing slow
And look for the green places
Where cowslip bunches grow

Shut the daisies are and braiden
Like hailstones on the grass
Where cows with udders laden
Await the Milking lass

1055

Will Rachel go the journey
Then happily we'll stray
Her bright eyes fit to burn ye
Will light us on our way

When the moon is just a clearing
Her veil of cloud away
And Rachels face is wearing
The beauties of the day
I'll take thee in my arms
Thou shalt lie upon my breast
While I behold thy charms
My heart will be at rest

The dewy meadows round
Spread in the pale moonlight
Wi my arms about thee wound
I could pass the longest night
All the long night till day shall
Proclaim himself bright day
So dearly I love Rachel
Amang the flowers o' May

LUCY MY DEAR

Come love and walk
In the field we will talk
An gae down the bauk
Lucy my dear
At the close o the even
Thy cot & kin leaving
We'll meet and make Heaven
Lucy my dear

1056

Where winding river flows
Where the clear burnie goes
And the wild briar grows
Lucy my dear
There come & greet me
By moonlight I'll meet thee
I know thoult not cheat me
Lucy my dear

When cows a' done feeding
And foulks gang fra weeding
And kail gang to seeding
Lucy my dear
We'll gang to the burn
Nor 'till moonlight return
There'll be no cause to mourn
Lucy my dear

Lucy love hear me
I long to be near thee
To see thee will cheer me
Lucy my dear
Thy face is the may rose
Eyes like the violet glows
Hidden in calm repose
Lucy my dear

The grass do not shun it
There's nae dews upon it
Sae put on thy bonnet
Lucy my dear
The Land rail is craiking
The odd crow is making
For the wood oer the braken
Lucy my dear

You've done milking and cleaning
At the close of the evening
The burn willows are leaning
Come Lucy my dear

1057

The sun he is leaving
His tints on the evening
We'll meet and make Heaven
With Lucy my dear

FLY TO THE FOREST MY SUSAN

Fly to the Forest my lovely maid
The prickly Holly shall be our cottage shade
We'll both be glad this Christmas day
While I hold in my arms sweet Susan Grey

The Cottage is cold the Palace is rude
Green christmas is warm in sweet solitude
We've no pride to conquor or subdue
Nature is fair when my Susans true

Then fly to the forest sweet Susan & dwell
Neath the boughs of Holly in secluded dell
For under the tree My susan allows
To kiss her brown cheek neath Missletoe boughs

Fly to the forest love fly with me
On the grass and the moss our bed shall be
Neath the red berried Holly our Cot we'll fix
And make our fire of the rotten sticks

Fly to the forest my Susan and be
The lov'd and the loving wi nature & me
I'll take thee to my bosom & kiss thy brown cheek
And love thee my susan every day o' the week

1058

From Sunday to Sunday my Susan I'll please
Nor e'er do a rude thing her fondness to teaze
In the brown winter forest I'll court all the day
And love my young gipsey the sweet Susan Grey

[The daisey is tipped wi the dew]

The daisey is tipped wi the dew
The king cup is blistered wi rain
The sun scorches yellow right through
And the white spots shew still like a stain
The grass it lies green on the bank
And the moss greener still on the thorn
And the primrose all brimstone and dank
They all the wood hedges adorn

BORN UPON AN ANGELS BREAST

I crime and emnity they lie
Who sin and tell us love can die
Who say to us in slanders breath
That love belongs to sin and death
From Heaven it came on Angels wing
To bloom on earth eternal spring
In falsehoods enmity they lie
Who sin and tell us love can die

1059

Twas born upon an angels breast
The softest dreams the sweetest rest
The brightest sun the bluest sky
Are loves own home and canopy
The thought that cheers this heart of mine
Is that of Love—Love so divine
They sin who say in slanders breath
That love belongs to Sin and death

The sweetest voice that lips contain
The sweetest thought that leaves the brain
The sweetest feelings of the heart
Theres pleasure even in its smart
The scent of Rose and Cinnamon
Is hot like Love remem[b]ered on
In falsehoods enmity they lie
Who sin and tell us love can die

SONG OF LOVE TO JEANNIE

The Simmer time in simmers prime
And the sweet meadow grasses
How sweet the swathes the pretty paths
Where throng the bonny lasses
The tawny bee hums oer the lea
There seeking for the hinney
Bright speckled thrush in white thorn bush
Sings sangs of Love to Jeannie

1060

For Jeannies rare and Jeannies fair
And handsome as she's bonny
And gay she walks and sweet she talks
The fairest maid o' ony
Bullrushes quiver down the river
A sort o' glassy Ocean
A glittering light gems each stem bright
Of the rushes all in motion

The simmer scene the meadow green
Are beautiful in feature
And green are flowers in simmer hours
How sweet the charms o' nature
A simmers walk a womans talk
Is sweet as wild bees hinney
Oer meadow leas how sweet to be
A walking with my Jeannie

Hay cocks in heaps the fish he leaps
Aboon the meadow streams
Oer flood and grass like spangled glass
The Suns reflexion gleams
Green hedge & trees cornfields and leas
Are worth the sight o' seeing
The wild rose hues mid evening dews
Charm every human being

The clouds pearl white each rural sight
How sweet they all appear
Cows feeding round each rural sound
Is music to the ear
And meadow field what joy they yield
Where twittering sunbeams glimmer
Earth, air and sky hath health & joy
My Jeannie loves the simmer

‘Jane Wilson’

1061

BONNY LASSIE DINNA LEAVE ME

Bonny Lassie dinna leave me
Losing thee would ever grieve me
If it be a sin to love thee
Why's the sun so bright above thee
Why's the sky so heavenly blue
My Jinney when I'm courting you
And when you go so dull's the scene
The simmer seems to lose its green
All wears the mist and mountain hue
When Jinneys gone there's naught to woo

Nature puts on its mourning gown
And grass & leaves look black & brown
There's nothing lovely nothing sweet
Sin I wi Jinney failed to meet
The lark is silent all the day
Where can the handsome vagrant stray
Where can she hide so sweet a face
Which brightens up this silent place
The brook rins over pebbled stones
And Jinneys voice is in its tones

Bonnie lassie leave me never
If thou'rt mine I'm thine for ever
Thou'rt like a flower my bonny Jennie
Nature brings thee stores o' hinney
Bluiming sweet at evenings hour
The fairest first dew dropping flower
Wild woodbines covered oer wi hinney
Are naething nigh so sweet as Jinney
Her I'll love and leave her never
If sin is love I'll love for ever

1062

FLOW ON WINDING RIVER

Flow on winding river in silence for ever
The sedge & flags rustle about in a bustle
You are dear to my fancy thou smooth flowing river
The bullrush bows calm and theres peace in the hustle
As the boat gently glides
Oer thy soft flowing tides
As the young maidens sail on a sweet summer day

The wavelets in ridges by osiers through bridges
Neath the grey willows shade & the nestling reeds made
Were dear to my fancy as onward they sail
The osiers they dip in the rings lilys made
And the maiden look'd red
As the corn poppy bed
Or dog rose that blushed in the shade

The day was delightful where but gadflies where spiteful
The hum of the Bee carolled merrily there
The Butterflies danced round the wild flowers delightful
And the old willows toss'd their grey locks in the air
The boat softly rippled
Suspended oars drippled
While the maidens were lovely & beauteously fair

The boat gently pushes aside the bullrushes
All gilt by the water & summer sunbeams
How soft the oar dashes the stream as it splashes
By the side of the boat wi its burden o dreams
The rushing of waters
The songs o' earths daughters
How sweetly they sound in the plash of the streams

1063

OH SUSAN MY DEAREST

Sweet is the Brompton Stocks perfume at eve
And sweet is the bloom o' the Pink and white Pea
And odours delicious the hedge roses weave
The woodbines they're sweeter than Jessamines be
But none o' these wild blossoms blooming in dew
Can wi the sweet looks of Susey compare
Her cheeks are so sweet & her heart is so true
And soft brown & sunny the hue o' her hair

Oh susan my dearest to my heart thou'rt nearest
I love thee adore thee & worship thee too
Thy eyes are the brightest thy heart is the dearest
As ever my song in its fancy could loo
Sweet are the green banks covered wi cowslips
And sweet the white thorn in its mantle o' may
Sweet is the white rose that soon will be green hips
That open and blush and shake all away

O sweet is the woodbine in pearl dews o even
And sweeter is evening when walking wi thee
Thy presence to me is a foretaste of heaven
On its nest sleeps the bird in the flower rests the bee
Come hither my susan the leas o' the pasture
Are studded wi daisies like pearls in thy hair
Come here dearest Susan the brook runs the faster
To see thee so bonny good natured and fair

1064

WHAT BEAUTIES THE SUMMER DISCLOSES

What beauties the summer discloses
How sweet are the banks o' the Nen
How lusciously sweet the dog roses
Hang over the old Otters den
The fish they leap up in the stream
The flags they look green by its side
The flowers up and down like a dream
And the insects are glancing wi pride

The birds are all out in the sun
And they build in the flags o the stream
From the reeds how the water rats run
While sun rays on wave ridges gleam
Come hither my Hellen Maria
The Meadow pink blossoms for thee
The top of the rivers on fire
How green is the bush and the tree

The hemlocks and keksies and Rue
Grow rank by the side of the flood
And the reed clumps a' simmer wi dew
Would hide the Coots nest if they could
What beauties doth summer disclose
How sweet are the banks o' the Nen
Goats beard meadows sweet & wild rose
And the larks o'er the wheat i the glen

Come here sweet Maria oh come
To the banks & green spots o' the Nen
Where the Coot in the reeds builds a home
And where all the year hides the Moor hen

1065

Come Hellen Maria here live
Like the Bee in the flowers & the dew
And the pleasures which nature will give
Is love ever faithful and true

I LOVE PALE PRIMROSES

I love Primroses wi their mole eyed faces
In Briery borders and wood mossy places
I love pale primroses well
And the wild Blue bell
Primroses I love in the Briery dell

I love it for the sake of young school boys
A school boy once myself I shared their joys
Teasing through thorns
On Aprils dewy morns
I love to hear in woods the young school boys

They scramble for Primrose and Violet
And handfuls mid oak leaves they get
They spy in hedge row prest
With eggs a Black birds nest
They take out the eggs and the poor birds fret

Ye curdled leaves in summers shiny hours
Clustering round the sulphur colored flowers
The Primroses brings
All loveliest things
The meadow is beaded wi dews by spring showers

1066

[The yellow leaves are falling round the bushes every one]

The yellow leaves are falling round the bushes every one
And the song broods of thrushes with summer time is gone
The daisey in the rushes till cold blast comes lives on

WE STOOD BENEATH THE HAZEL SHADE

We stood beneath the hazel shade
Her arms lapp'd in her apron white
And lovely look'd the peerless maid
Amid the lingering light
I would have clasped she hied away
I talked of Woman and of love
She heard all that I had to say
Her silence perhaps my love approve

We stood the last night all away
How full of Stars the sky
No further would the maiden stray
Nor with loves suit comply
The night came on & hid all round
The moonlight scarcely shone
I round her neck my fond arm wound
For we were both alone

She silently excused my talk
I looked on her blue eye
Down by the woodside she'd not walk
I could do nought but sigh

1067

She would not leave the hazel place
The moon did dimly shine
I love to look upon that face
And would that it were mine

THY BONNY SMILE

Thy bonny smile thy inky hair
Parted before and forehead bare
Have every power to please me
Thy lily skin without a speck
Thy bonny waist and slender neck
Thy gown that does thy person deck
Makes all my troubles easy

I fields o green in meadows gay
Me and my love will often stray
Where she doth often please me
Where wild weeds turn to pleasant flowers
I'll walk with her neath white thorn bowers
And there we'll talk in summer hours
Kisses of love will ease me

There will we walk my bonny girl
While showers bead the flowers wi pearl
Thy raven locks shall please me
Rain must not soil thy glossy shoe
A bare dry place we'll find to woo
Nor fear the rain or evening dew
While thy fond love shall ease me

1068

LASSIE I LOVE THEE

Lassie I love thee
The heavens above thee
Look downwards to move thee
And prove my love true
My arms round thy waist love
My head on thy breast love
By a true man cares[s]t love
Ne'er bid me adieu

Thy cheeks full o' blushes
Like the rose in the bushes
In a love stream it gushes
With over delight
Though clouds may come o'er thee
Sweet maid I'll adore thee
As I do now before thee
I Love thee outright

It stings me to madness
To see thee all gladness
While I'm full o sadness
Thy meaning to guess
Thy gown is deep blue love
In honour of true love
Ever thinking of you love
My love I'll confess

My love ever shewing
Thy hearts worth the knowing
It is like the sun glowing
And hid in thy breast

1069

Thy lover behold me
To my bosom I'll fold thee
For thou love thou'st just told me
So here thou may rest

MY MINNIE TOLD ALL

My Minnie told all to my Daddie at e'en
And my lover was by both denied
Sae I made him a bed in fields in their green
And laid my sen close by his side
The wind it blew brisk and shook all the leaves
Which covered us both as we lay
For honest true love it never deceives
Here Minnie & Daddie has nothing to say

The Linnet sang oer us a pleasant gay tune
As ever I heard him before
While there we lay down by the light of the moon
And he kiss'd me quite home to the door
My Minnie said nay & my Daddie forbade
But they could do naething with him
A whisper by dark is not lost in the shade
And to kiss one we love is no sin

The peas are in blossom & sweet the beans smell
And the grass where we sat wavered green
And love in that place not a secret will tell
Where we were not listened to or seen

1070

My Minnie said nay and my Daddie forbade
But forbidden my Lover wont be
We meet there at e'en when he's put by the spade
And will while a leaf's on the tree

MY LOVE IS FAIR

My loving dear is very fair
As she walks at morning early
When bean blooms scent the morning air
She walks across the barley
The misty dew spread oer the glade
In sunshine glittered gailey
As forth afield mid sun & shade
I went with Betsey Bailey

Her gown was pink her stocking white
Her face was plump and roundy
To look within her eye so bright
Would utterly confound ye
They'd make you shrink beneath their light
Till words were spoke to quail ye
And then you'd sigh from morn till night
For handsome Betsey Bailey

My love is fair my love is sweet
As red pink or carnation
And if she speaks not when we meet
Its nought but botheration
The waters wrinkle in the wind
The meadows bloom so gaily
And I am troubled in my mind
For absent Betsey Bailey

1071

THERE'S LOVE IN HER SILENT LOOKS

With coal black hair and rose red face
And skin as white as milk
My sweetheart keeps a servants place
And wears a gown o' silk
I've loved the bonny maid for years
And love her person still
Birds sing my fondness in her ears
Of me she thinks no ill

Her beauty blossoms like summers hour
Her face resembles springs fair flower
Her face is fair her hair is black
I love the gown upon her back
My heart in melody does ring
Her praises I will ever sing
Her smile is dearer than the flower
That bloometh in its transient hour

There is love in her silent looks
There is love in the touch of her hand
Her eye sparkles bright as the brooks
Her face is the best in the land

That neck and that face and that cheek
My love ever yearneth to kiss
I that oppunity fainly would seek
I'm mad when I'm thinking on this
Her eyes so bright her face so fair
Her rose red cheek her coal black hair
I love the maid full true and well
And ever on her virtues dwell

1072

My dear Mary I but seldom see
Her brown silk gown it looks so sweet
Her cotton drab garments give to me
I love her when passing down the street
I long to call Mary my own
And clasp round her shoulders broad
And to be with her when alone
Down the pleasant greenwood sward
And breathe in her delicate ear
My whisper of love and of fear

THE SILVER MOON THAT LIGHTS THE WAY

The sun takes delight to shine on her gown
And the wind ever sought to be fanning her face
It blew the old hovel in the home close quite down
Because she was milking her cows in the place
The dog rose was proud of her thorns and her flowers
The bonniest bush within the green space
But the roses turned pale in the bowers
When she shewed them her own pretty face

The silver moon that lights the way
Is now disclosing its bright face
Lights up the stars with her holy ray
And peeps into every green place
The stars are twinkling in the blue
And proudly they delight
To see the maiden brush the dew
As she walks in their silent light

1073

In silver beads the grasses lie
They gently brush her feet
The daisy would have oped its eye
If it chanced her smile to meet
The pilewort would have shewn her gold
Had her eyes upon it shone
But he keepeth in bed so cold
And his beauty is all its own

Her hair it is black as the ink
Her eyes they are bright as the sky
Her lips are as red as the pink
Her neck does the Lily Outvie
The Oak apple hangs on the bough
She's as soft as the summer hours
Oh could I but meet with her now
Where the moonbeams are playing wi flowers

GO NOT NIGH HER DWELLING

Go not nigh her dwelling
You're caught if you do
Her eye it flashes lig[h]tning
That pierces one quite through
She comes with her pretences
Like a dew drop is her tread
You'll surely lose your senses
If you dare to turn your head

All scentless are the roses
As in hedges they do glow
She comes and she proposes
That you will with her go

1074

The wild flowers will stoop
When they hear the bee sing
But if on her you look
You're a desolate thing

Twenty years have I woo'ed her
She is not yet won
Like a slave I ha' loo'ed her
Thus far I'm undone
Love wishes were brief no's
When I urged her to stay
But she plucked a rose
And went singing away

She comes like the morning
In purple and grey
But me she is scorning
As I pass on my way
I see her pass by me
Her eyes beaming bright
Why does she deny me
And say ‘quit my sight’!

Her heart's without love
She has beauty alone
No fond one can move
That cold heart o' stone
My heart wi love bled
As I pass'd her to day
She turn'd not her head
My love melted away

1075

COME LOVELY MARY

Come my love the summers day
Has brought the Cuckows to green trees
Oh come my Mary come away
And let us share the woodland breeze
The woodland breeze I love to share
Where green leaves whisper all the day
Come hither with thy face so fair
Mary my loved one come away

I would not for a world of gold
Thy innocence from beauty steal
Sweet is thy face which I behold
All its Love memories I feel
The swaying boughs the shaking leaves
And every rural sight and sound
The soft wind secret spells he weaves
In every flower spread o'er the ground

Come lovely Mary come away
The fields are green the skies are clear
By flag fringed brooks we'll gladly stray
Where wild and sweetest flowers appear
The Maple's in its brightest gloss
The hazel's in its crimpled sheen
Green is the wood path we shall cross
Come Mary to the woodland green

1076

COME HELEN MY RARE ONE

The Springs come for good now
And green is the wood bough
And sweetly the wild birds are singing to day
The primrose bloom shoots
Close by hazel roots
And white shines the May bloom upon the thorn spray

Come my young day dream
Let us walk by the May stream
Where the water is purling clear over the stones
And the little birds twitter
Where they spangle and glitter
As the waters glide on with their musical tones

Come hither sweet Hellen
Where echoes are telling
Sweet stories of spring in its beautiful green
Where birds they are singing
And bees they are bringing
Their thigh loads of honey & wax home at e'en

Sweet Hellen come hither
We'll gather togither
The cowslip, the primrose and violet so blue
Come hither my Hellen
Where the Blackbird is dwelling
In the hedge row all covered wi evening dew

Come Helen my rare one
My lovely and fair one
The Anemone gather and violet so blue
Come out in straw Bonnet
Wi blue ribbons on it
We'll gather a nosegay all glittering wi dew

1077

MIRTHFUL SUMMERS COME AT LAST

Mirthful summers come at last
Gone the winter and the blast
And all the chilly days are past
So annoying to my dearey
Sae tak thy gaily coloured shawl
Thats hanging in thy mithers hall
Fra fear a hasty shower should fall
Twill comfort thee and cheer ye

We'll walk about the meadow glen
We'll walk adown the reedy fen
We'll watch the little hopping wren
And talk & ne'er be weary
The sun it glints on berries red
All clustering on leaves make a bed
While wool pack clouds sail over head
While the lark winnows cheery

The Bittern bumps the Pewit screams
The Moor hen patters down the streams
And glittering are the sunny beams
Those scenes we'll seek my deary
Full slowly flaps the heron by
Uttering her lowly cranking cry
The lark is winnowing in the sky
And all the scene looks cheery

Lassie leave thy mithers hall
Take thy bonnet fra the wall
Hurry on thy plaided shawl
Or maybe love will cheat me

1078

Remember love the osier glen
Full far away fra haunts o' men
We met there ance and will agen
There love & truth shall greet thee

ABOVE THE BROOK THE MIDGE'S PLAY

Above the bruik the midges play
The Stickleback below
Glides like a nimble shade away
Home flops the weary crow
To neighbouring woods & hedgerow trees
And milkmaids that scarce bruize the grass
With kerchief open to the breeze
Along the pastures pass

Her bosom bare her cap untied
She's like a wilding rose
That grows agen the pasture side
And like the sunset glows
Merriest sounds at close of day
Come fra her cherry lips
The crickets stop their evening lay
As light the maiden trips

The dews are mizzling on her cheek
Like smallest kind of rain
The woodbine with its ruddy streak
Smells half as sweet again

1079

The king cups growing on the green
Spangle like sparks o' fire
And like to blinking stars are seen
As days last shades retire

The swallow tumbles o'er the bush
A moment and is lost
Then through the pasture gateways rush
As though they'd hit the post
Their wings of sooty eve the hue
Like a dark spot he seems
They whisk along through evening dew
Like one o evening dreams

The bramble bushes and sheep tracks
Of milk & water flowers
Their hue is neither white or black
As they bluim in dusky hours
Oh Lucy with thy bonnet on
Were thou but standing here
I would not envy any one
This evetide would be dear

BY YON BURNSIDE

We'll meet by the glen side we'll meet by the burn
Where grows the rath primrose & bunches of fern
Where the brook is so bright
In its wrinkles of light
Where we staid all night to hear the whimples of the burn

1080

By yon burnside by yon burnside
My mary you're a blooming bride
Her face is so sweet
Her gown is so neat
Oh I dearly love the maid down by yon burn side

By yon burnside there's blossom for the bee
There is a place for the shepherd neath the tree
And a cozie place of rest
For the lassie I love best
By the white spreading thorn & grassy clover lea

By yon burnside the sand shines in the sun
By yon burnside like pearls the waters run
Its aye so sweet and clear
And it rins a' the year
The whimpling brook is laughing by yon burnside

The blackbird he is singing night & morn
By his nest near yon odd bush by the corn
Near the little flowing brook
Come lassy gang and look
For I love natures music sin the day that I was born

By yon burnside there's many little things
Insects in the grass and gravel o' the springs
That the eye loves to see
So Mary gang with me
And we'll sit beneath the oak where the little burnie springs

1081

THE WINDS FAN SO SWEET

Away with your lands o' the orange & myrtle
Wi' their skies ever clear where flowers ever bloom
I'll be a Scotch lassie and wear my ain kirtle
There slaves from all nations are buried in gloom
I'll be a Scotch lassie by mountain & burnie
And look to the lammies and milking at e'en
The suns of the Highlands neer blister or burn ye
Full free as the winds are her valleys so green

The winds fan so sweet o'er the valley's o' heather
The sun shines so bright oer the valleys o' broom
Sweet are the seasons and fair is the weather
That comes to our homes oer the mountains in bloom
The wee tipped daisies red yellow and blue
Dress the mountains in garlands the first o' the spring
They're the first o' wild blossoms to drink the spring dew
And close to the sides of the mountains they cling

Midway up the mountain I live with my granny
In a low little shieling thats cozey and dry
There's nothing comes sair to the bosom o' Fanny
While feeding her lammies or milking her kye
The dews o' the morn on her flowers o' broom
Are so like gouden beads I would take em to day
But theyre nothing but wet at the touch of my thumb
They slip from my touch and all melt away

1082

BEAN BLOSSOMS

I love the black e'en o' the scented bean blossom
And think o the dark eye of somebody
Its whiteness is just like the hue o her bosom
And thats my ain beautiful somebody

I luik on the flowers as I think on her face
They remind me o' sweet somebody
I long then to meet her in just such a place
A loving kiss I'd gie to somebody

How sweet the bean blossoms how rich the hedge rose
They seem like the presence of somebody
There's some like her features some hued like her clothes
They make me keep thinking o' somebody

In the west white and red clouds of even
Still bring me the image o' somebody
The fairest of all under Heaven
Is my beautiful lovely Miss somebody

Bean blossoms from furrow to ridge
Scenting sweetly remind me o somebody
The roses in bloom on the hedge
Are just like the image o somebody

I loo the black e'e o bean blossoms
Theyre like the sweet eyes o somebody
The lily reminds me of bosoms
And that is the bosom o somebody

1083

[The blossomed bean I love to see]

The blossomed bean I love to see
It breathes in fragrance all of thee
The wilding rose I so admire
It bluims thy blush upon the briar

I love the hedge row walk at e'en
The scented bluim of bean & pea
They o'er the seeded grasses lean
And breathe of only love and thee

The woodbines bluim at mornings hour
I love to see its ruddy streak
For theres a hue upon the flower
That bluims upon thy bonny cheek

In summer time I think o' thee
A thousand times in sunny hours
I know where thy hearts home would be
A nestling in the wild field flowers

ROLL THEE IN MY TARTAN PLAIDIE

Roll thee in my Lowlan plaidie
Nestle cozey by my side
Love wi me and be my ladie
And we love on in world sae wide

Ro[ll] thee in my Tartan Plaidie
Cozey sit upon my knee
In thy Tartan silk sweet lady
Thy lovely form is sweet to see

1084

Ro[ll] thee in my Tartan Plaidie
Let me gaze upon thy charms
Thou a bonny beauteous lady
Come unto thy Lovers arms

With thy ancles scarce a span
Thou an armful art sweet lady
Come thou better half o' man
Ro[ll] thee in my Tartan Pladie

LASSIE SAY WILL YE GO

Lassie say will ye go
Where the green bull rushes grow
Like whale bone ribs or angle rods
Where the siller fishes row
And the bubbling waters flow
In the East holme meadows
Theres a lake wi bushes round it
Where the flags and sedge surround it
And the siller roach abound it
In the East holme meadows

An hawthorn where the burnies play
Spreads an arbour all the day
While the willow wavers grey
While the sunshine gilds the stream
With the mornings early beam
Along the East holme meadows
Come in gown & tartan pladie
Leave thy gowd at home sweet lady
And we'll ha' a happy gay day
In the East holme meadows

1085

Lassie say will ye go
Where blue berry hip and sloe
By the sheet o' water grow
And the wild duck & the plover
Suthers up and suthers over
In the East holme meadows
In tartan plaid & silken snood
Meet me by the osier wood
Where muir hen bigs aboon the flood
In East holme bonny meadows

Bull rush bunches graceful dips
Like angle rods & whale bain whips
And the lily boats or ships
O white and yellow water Lilies
Flapp'd by little waves and billows
In the bonny East holme meadows
Where the sun in level light
Makes the waters siller bright
And bee and insects all delight
In East holme bonny meadows

I AM WAE AND WEARY SISTER

I am wae and weary sister
To rest I canna gae
I'd ane and never misst her
Until my heart was wae
Sister I am wae and weary
As I'm ever like to be
And oft[t]imes it seems to cheer me
While I'm thinking upon thee

1086

We twa had but ain mither
She bare us both the gither
And we should love ain anither
Sae sister dear come hither
We'll gae to some sweet nuik
And we'll love ane anither
And take a pleasant buik
And talk about puir mither

Sweet is the season sister
And lanely is your brither
Our mither sair we misst her
We can never find anither
She looe'd our ways and faces
Like an odd lov'd tree she fell
We left our playing places
And had woful tales to tell

The neighbours all were altered foulk
They looked so very sad
They never passed anither joke
Death was the loss we had
We were man & woman—sister
The day she gae'd away
Even our children misst her
Nor notice took of play

For twa or three days the gither
When their grammam she was gane
And they cry wi ane anither
As they luik upon her stane
In the kirk yard where it stands
There the silent tear will fall
So the name one understands
But they cannot read it all

1087

For their very hearts are full
Wi the thoughts o ither years
When they daisies used to pull
And talk in Grannys ears
The neighbours are strange here
Those days are ever flown
When mither did appear
In her bonny cotton gown

And sae 'twill be wi us sister
As on our mithers stone
Theyll miss us as weve misst her
When we are dead and gone
Sons and daughter o our own
The children o' their mother
Will look upon our stone
And ne'er find such another

I SPEAK IN LOW CALM BREATHING WHISPERS

The word I would breathe in thy ear
Is profaned by a cold worlds abuses
My love to thee's utterd in fear
Admits of a lovers excuses
When we know that we feel it
We try to conceal it
Though the passion is sent from above
The illtempered world tries to steal it
What a gem in the heart is true love

1088

Tis concealed in that white lily bosom
And in the blue veins of each breast
In thine eye love it bears a sweet blossom
In thy heart it reposes in rest
Yes there is the place where it hides
And there is the oil it provides
There nestles the innocent dove
Where it sleeps like to rippling tides
Oh there is nothing so sweet as true love

I speak in low calm breathing whispers
They fall on thy delicate ear
They're pure as the evening vespers
Though tremblingly spoken in fear
I am not fond of vulgar abuses
I come with no idle excuses
Oh let me but call thee my dove
My fond heart it never refuses
To join in the praise of true love

I LIVE AND LOVE AS OTHERS DO

I live and love as others do
But seldom have the face to woo
A rosy cheek a snowy breast
Doth steal away my tranquil rest
A silent pain my heart doth fill
It pants within but does not kill
Love's a tormenting thing to seek
Withering a heart it cannot break

1089

That face is fair so very fair
Brighter her eyes than others are
And to my eyes those locks so curled
More beautiful than all the world
That form for ever haunteth me
Nought like to it I ever see
Those swelling breasts like billows rise
To fascinate my wondering eyes

That voice I hear in music tones
Is thrilling through my very bones
The harp & lute and songs of choice
Are discord to her young sweet voice
So softly natural and so kind
Sweet woman she's a child in mind
Woman like a gem impearled
A being that enchants the world

I live and love as others do
But never had the face to woo
A bosom that loves power displays
Robs my poor life of half its days
A smiling lip though e'er so coy
Turns all my sorrows into joy
That calm sweet face with roses hue
It burns my very vitals through

I've lived & loved and burned and chilled
And did as God & nature willed
A sigh will cause the tear to flow
Such tears as drown the heart in woe
My soul now sinks within to see
The maid thats dear to love and me
My love I've hid & often sighed
Yet never made the maid my bride

1090

FRAGMENT

[The Elm tree's heavy foliage meets the eye]

The Elm tree's heavy foliage meets the eye
Propt in dark masses on the evening sky
The lighter ash but half obstructs the view
Leaving grey openings where the light looks through

HOW CAN I FORGET

That farewell voice of love is never heard again
Yet I remember it and think on it with pain
I see the place she spoke when passing by
The flowers were blooming as her form drew nigh
That voice is gone with every pleasing tone
Loved but one moment and the next alone
Farewell the winds repeated as she went
Walking in silence through the grassy bent
The wild flowers they ne'er look'd so sweet before
Bowed in far[e] wells to her they'll see no more
In this same spot the wild flowers bloom the same
In scent and hue and shape aye even name
Twas here she said farewell and no one yet
Has so sweet spoken—How can I forget?

1091

I'LL MEET THEE ON THE HEATHER

I'll meet thee in the evening love the still time o' the day
When all the place is quiet and labour gone away
When the dew hangs on the heather
And the Partraiks crauk together
I'll meet thee in the evetide at the closing of the day

What time the swopping plovers done winnowing oer the lea
And worn her wings so weary she e'en at rest must be
She has gone unto her nest
In the wild moors rushy breast
When swopping plovers gone to bed I bide awhile wi thee

I'll meet thee on the heather love agen the hawthorn tree
Where the muir cock sits to croon at morn an angry bird is he
Where like guineas minted new
The flowers look in the dew
I'll meet thee there at evening love at the closing of the day

The burnie rins sae sweetly and the mavi[s] sings sae clear
Sweet blooms the broom and heather & sweetly smells the brere
When the sun drops in the sea
Bonny Jane I'll meet with thee
Upon the glasgow hills at the closing o' the day

1092

ENSLAVED IN BONDS

—ACROSTIC

Enslaved in bonds I write my dear to thee
And hope erewhile thy husband love to be
Love is not made in any shades of wrong
Eventful heaven has wrote thy bridal song
Nor can aught earthly cheat thee from my view
Oh love remember what love says is true
Remember love comes first in pictures new
Paints stronger pictures as they older grew
Remember love our meeting from the first
Enjoined to love as cannot the accurst
Sunshines has got its shadows but our life shall be
True as Hopes anchor fix'd eternally
When first I kiss'd thy cheek of rosy hue
I felt a feeling nothing can subdue
Endurable as nature no decay
Heaven be thy love—is all that I can say

1093

SONNET TO T. INSKIP STAFFORD

All that the pasture, hill, or valley yields
The rural muse lays claim to as her dower
The foliaged woods the garniture of fields
Grass twisting whirlwind & the thunder shower
Flag verging waters & each lone wild flower
To all a sense and share of pleasure yields
And wiles away in joy each lonesome hour
Such rambles Inskip as thy fancies choose
Reading the volume under white thorn bowers
And woodbine twisted hedge besprent with dews—
May all thy life be one of happiness
Pages to read and places to repose
Thy musing mind loveth the green recess
Go with the rural muse and seek the Briar rose

1094

COME MARY ANN

The midges o'er the rivers dance
The reed blades rustle by the brim
The evening sun shineth askance
And on the quiet waters swims
In dewy light the hayfield dims
The firdales shew a gloomier green
Where Mary Ann her garden trims
And lives a rural life unseen

How beautiful the hot day turns
From dazzling light to grey serene
The scarlet poppy only burns
The winding river flows between
The white thorn hedges meadows green
The rising mists that visions weave
The sunshine blaze is now unseen
And quiet comes the gentle eve

Come Mary Ann prepare to leave
Thy cottage by the rivers side
And we'll enjoy the hours of eve
And roam the meadows far & wide
And something more we'll do beside
Where lonely herons watch the pool
And fish turn up their silver sides
We'll wander neath the willows cool

Come Mary Ann in hat of straw
And shawl across thy shoulders thrown
The May flower now has turned to haw
The leaves about the place are strewn

1095

Black snails we need not tread upon
A silver trail their jou[r]neys leave
So Mary put thy bonnet on
And share with me the sweets of eve

A RAMBLE BY THE RIVER SIDE

A ramble by the rivers side
In Spring times dewy eve
Where teal and widgeon turn to hide
In reeds which them receive
Tis sweet at eventide to go
By rivers winding rim
Where dark and deep the waters flow
And shoals of fish do swim

A ramble by the rivers side
Is pleasant in the summer
Where dragon flies on gauze wings hide
And the bee's a minstrel hummer
A ramble by the river side
No walk so sweet can be
To see the creeping waters glide
And hear the humble bee

There's nothing else so fine to see
As a fast flowing river
Hemm'd by green banks continually
And winding on for ever
There nature lives devoid of strife
There boats sail on the tide
There's nought so sweet to me in life
As a walk by the rivers side

1096

MY OWN SWEET GIPSEY GIRL

Green clothing covers all the trees
Woodbine in hedges curl
But theres nothing in the world can please
Like the bonny gipsey girl
Twas her on heaths I courted
The young Maria Soames
On rushy knolls we sported
The common was our homes
Her eyes were like the diamond
And her teeth were like to pearl
No lady beauty bloom'd beyond
The nut brown Gipsey girl

She sleeps on beds of rushes
And her hair is hung wi dew
Turning gold when morning blushes
On it with golden hue
Her cheek is brown and healthy
Her lips like coral shine
Her heart it is full wealthy
Like a diamond in a mine
I love the healthy brake
Where the woodbine loves to curl
All for the bonny sake
Of the handsome gipsey girl

I love the grass she treads on
The flowers that she sees
The wild thyme bank she beds on
Mid the songs of honey bees

1097

I love the hedge she lies by
The furze bush by the camp
The Blackbird prinks and flies by
Where my gipsey lass doth tramp
Her eyes bright dew drops luscious
Her teeth are like the pearl
And sweet are all the blushes
Of my own sweet gipsey girl

Oh I love the rushy common
And the wild rose hedge to see
And the gadding woodbine bloomin
Is a sweet flower to me
There bonny young Maria
Sits and plaits her dark brown hair
The wild rose on the briar
Than her tan cheeks not more fair
Her bosoms bonny mould
Than pure Ivory or pearl
Is whiter to behold
Of my charming gipsey girl

1098

THE LAST SIX POEMS

SONG FOR MISS B---

1

The thrush in the firdeal is singing till e'en
While to the far woods flies the wearisome crow,
The bonny thorn hedge o' the pasture is green,
And green is the moss-bank where primroses grow;
So come to the dewy lane, young handsome maiden,
We'll wander the sheep walks where Ivy trees lean;
The bee buzzes by with his legs heavy laden,
And sweet purple violets nestle in green

2

O come bonny maiden, & I will go with thee
Adown the footpath way the cowslip nods o'er
Among the green rushes sweet kisses I'll gie thee
And the cold world shall trouble our pleasures no more
Sweet is the song of the thrush i' the wild wood,
While blue misty hastiness gather around
And grey look the trees i' the scenes o' thy childhood
And where the Ox lows how delightful the sound!

1099

3

The brimstone-hued primrose looks bright on the mossy bank
Round the stulps of old maple the violets perfume;
At the ivy'd hedge bottom the Arum looks glossy & rank
While the hedge sparrow sits on its nest in the gloom
O come my sweet maiden, there's nought to confound thee
The evening is pleasant, the valley is still;
I'll kiss thy soft cheek with my arm clasping round thee,
While the moon shows its horn at the top of the hill

1100

THE DAISY [I]

The Daisy is a happy flower
& comes at early spring
& brings with it the sunny hour
When bees are on the wing

It brings with it the butterflye
& early humble bee
With the Polyanthus golden eye
& blooming apple tree

Hedge Sparrows form the mossy nest
In the old garden hedge
Where school boys in their idle glee
Seek pootys as their pledge

1101

The cow stands browsing all the day
Over the orchard gate
& eats her bit of sweet old hay
& goody stands to wait

Lest whats not eaten the rude wind
May rise & snatch away
Over the neighbours hedge behind
Where hungry cattle lay

THE DAISY [II]

The Daisey is a happy flower
It blossoms in the spring
It blossoms in the sunny hour
When bees are on the wing

1102

It brings with [it] the butterflye
Likewise the humble bee
The blue path in the sunny sky
The crows nest on the tree
It bring[s] also the butter cup
The dew drops in a shower
Which the morning sun dries up
Before the noonday hour
Hedge sparrows in the awthorn hedge
Building their mossy nest
Till evening shadows ushers in
& leaves them all at rest

TO JOHN CLARE

Well honest John how fare you now at home
The spring is come & birds are building nests
The old cock robin to the stye is come
With olive feathers & its ruddy breast

1103

& the old cock with wattles & red comb
Struts with the hens & seems to like some best
Then crows & looks about for little crumbs
Swept out bye little folks an hour ago
The pigs sleep in the sty the bookman comes
The little boys lets home close nesting go
& pockets tops & tawes where daiseys bloom
To look at the new number just laid down
With lots of pictures & good stories too
& Jack the jiant killers high renown

1104

SONNET

[The spring is come & spring flowers coming too]

The spring is come & spring flowers coming too
The crocus patty kay & rich hearts ease
& poly anthus peeps with blebs of dew
& daisey flowers—the buds swell on the trees
In the old homestead rests the cottage cow
The dogs sit on their haunches near the cot
The least one the stranger growls ‘bow wow’
Then hurrys to the door & cocks his tail
To knaw the unfinished bone the placid cow
Looks oer the gate—the threshers lumping flail
Is all the noise the spring en[c]ounters now

1105

SONNET On a Lane in Spring

A Little Lane, the brook runs close beside
And spangles in the sunshine while the fish glide swiftly by
And hedges leafing with the green spring tide
From out their greenery the old birds fly
And chirp and whistle in the morning sun
The pilewort glitters 'neath the pale blue sky
The little robin has its nest begun
And grass green linnets round the bushes fly
—How Mild the Spring Comes in—the daisy buds
Lift up their golden blossoms to the sky
How lovely are the pingles and the woods
Here a beetle runs—and there a fly
Rests on the Arum leaf in bottle green
And all the Spring in this Sweet lane is seen

1106

BIRDS NESTS

The very child might understand
The Deil had business on his hand
Robert Burns

Tis Spring warm glows the South
Chaffinchs carry the moss in his mouth
To the filbert hedges all day long
& charms the poet with his beautifull song
The wind blows blea oer the sedgey fen
But warm the sunshines by the little wood
Where the old Cow at her leisure chews her cud

1107

POEMS FROM BAKER'S GLOSSARY

[Where the deer with their shadows passed swifter than thought]

Where the deer with their shadows passed swifter than thought,
And the hare from the braken went limping along,
Where the pheasant's red eye for a moment was caught,
Then vanished away like a spinning bee's song;
Ye green shades of Burghley! how lovely you seem,
Your sweet spreading oaks and your braken so green,
Your green plots as sweet as a shepherd boy's dream,
'Neath the shade of dark trees where I've many a day been,
And sitting in braken or roots of the lime,
Amusing my leisure in ballads and rhyme.

1108

[How beautiful May and its morning comes in!]

How beautiful May and its morning comes in!
The song of the maidens you hear them begin,
To sing the old ballads while cowslips they pull,
While the dew of the morning fills many pips full.

The closes are spangled with cowslips like gold,
Girls cram in their aprons what baskets can't hold;
And still gather on to the heat of the day,
Till force often throws the last handful away.

Then beneath an old hawthorn they sit one and all,
And make the May garlands and round cuck a ball
Of cowslips and blossoms so showy and sweet,
And laugh when they think of the swains they shall meet.

Then to finish the garland they trudge away home,
And beg from each garden the flowers then in bloom;
Then beneath the old eldern, beside the old wall,
They sit out to make it, maids, misses, and all.

The ribbons the ploughmen bought maids at the fair,
Are sure to be seen in a garland so fair;
And dolls from the children they dress up and take,
While children laugh loud at the show they will make.

Then they take round the garland to shew at each door,
With kerchief to hide the fine flowers cover'd o'er;
At cottages also, when willing to pay,
The maidens their much admired garland display.

1109

Then at duck under water adown the long road,
They run with their dresses all flying abroad;
And ribbons all colours how sweet they appear!
May seems to begin the new life of the year.

Then the garland on ropes is hung high over all,
One end to a tree and one hooked to a wall;
Where they cuck the ball over till day is nigh gone,
And then tea and cakes and the dancing comes on.

And then, lawk! what dancing and laughing is there,
While the fidler makes faces within the arm chair;
And then comes the cushion, the girls they all shriek
And fly to the door from the old fiddler's squeak;

But the doors they are fastened, so all must kneel down
And take the rude kiss from the unmannerly clown.
Thus the May games are ended, to their houses they roam,
With the sweetheart she chooses each maiden goes home.

Quotations from Baker's Glossary

[I]

[Where the water's allus running]

Where the water's allus running,
While the spring is just beginning,
And the cowslips ever springing,
Come looping o'er the lea.

(i. 12)

[2]

[The frosty morning bites as sharp as fire]

The frosty morning bites as sharp as fire,
The rime e'en blisters on the bucket bale.

(i. 29)

[3]

[When the mist o'er the heath hills smokes mealy and grey]

When the mist o'er the heath hills smokes mealy and grey,
When the dew, like to beaded work, blebs on the thorns,
Which the morning wind flirts in a moment away.

(i. 55)

[4]

[The village daily hears the thumping flail]

The village daily hears the thumping flail,
The cat-ice chatters where the schoolboy pass'd,
And tried to slur (slide), and whiter falls the blast.

(i. 102)

[5]

[See here where the shepherd boys played]

See here where the shepherd boys played,
Here's a ring for the marbles, a hole for the chock,
And a cat-gallows not a yard high.

(i. 116)

[6]

[Where the clodhopper on the clods all day]

Where the clodhopper on the clods all day,
Slow moves his tail and TWEETS the winds away.

(i. 128)

[7]

[The blackbirds sung with sooty bosoms]

The blackbirds sung with sooty bosoms
And loudly talk'd the coppled jay.

(i. 142)

[8]

[The flycatcher, all in yellow and slate grey]

The flycatcher, all in yellow and slate grey,
Pops from the crannies of the stable wall.

(i. 157)

[9]

[The frozen snow crumps loud beneath his tread. ]

The frozen snow crumps loud beneath his tread.

(i. 163)

[10]

[Beech dottrels, with their glossy leaves]

Beech dottrels, with their glossy leaves,
All overhang the way.

(i. 189)

[11]

[I wept to see the hawk severe]

I wept to see the hawk severe
Murder the furze-lark whistling nigh.

(i. 260)

[12]

[I never pass'd without a gleg]

I never pass'd without a gleg
The bonny maid of Clyde.

(i. 276)

[13]

[The bulrushes wobble i' the gulls i' the flood. ]

The bulrushes wobble i' the gulls i' the flood.

(i. 297)

[14]

[The little boy, with feet as sore as boils]

The little boy, with feet as sore as boils,
Hirples in trouble from the school-house door;
The poor lame urchin wakes his mother's smiles,
Who gives him ‘bull's eyes’ till the smart is o'er.

(i. 326)

[15]

[She came for a hid to the wood-stack]

She came for a hid to the wood-stack,
And lean'd o'er the gate to look out.

(i. 369)

[16]

[While forth the hedger to his labour fares]

While forth the hedger to his labour fares,
Lairing the white thorn e're it knots for May.

(i. 383)

[17]

[When she got too far off, why I'd something to tell]

When she got too far off, why I'd something to tell;
So I sent sighs behind her, and talk'd to mysell.

(ii. 43)

[18]

[And glossy green ivy]

And glossy green ivy
Round the oak bole drest,
That pothers up stivy,
When boys climb the crow's nest.

(ii. 133)

[19]

[The horse-road stood in pudges]

The horse-road stood in pudges,
And the path was hardly dry.

(ii. 142)

[20]

[The rack rides o'er the sun like smoke away]

The rack rides o'er the sun like smoke away,
And makes the sun appear the moon by day.

(ii. 154)

[21]

[The wind is rollocking about to-day]

The wind is rollocking about to-day,
Wild, but not stormy, kissing every feature
Of loveliness, that happens in its way.

(ii. 180)

[22]

[When screeds of sunshine gild the little yard]

When screeds of sunshine gild the little yard,
A hive-bee hummig by the wall is heard.

(ii. 205)

[23]

[And Autumn with her sunny screeds is done. ]

And Autumn with her sunny screeds is done.

(ii. 205)

[24]

[The violets by the woodland side]

The violets by the woodland side,
As thick as they could snive,
I've talk'd to them with childish pride,
As things that were alive.

(ii. 261)

[25]

[The rabbits streak and slumber in the sun]

The rabbits streak and slumber in the sun,
And wake from buzzes of the great blue fly.

(ii. 303)

[26]

[The Robin is on the ground]

The Robin is on the ground
Close to a mossy stulp.

(ii. 307)

[27]

[The dark wind o' autumn so dreary]

The dark wind o' autumn so dreary
Sughs through the black firdales so lonely.

(ii. 308)

[28]

[I thought I was going to drop dead in a swither. ]

I thought I was going to drop dead in a swither.

(ii. 320)

[29]

[We passed the Canterbury bell]

We passed the Canterbury bell,
The meadow-sweet like feathers,
The blanket camps, where gipsies dwell,
And asses graze in tethers.

(ii. 334)

[30]

[How woeful the waste looks, how troubled the sky]

How woeful the waste looks, how troubled the sky,
How dull the sun wades through the mist o' the hills,
A gray gloomy covering hangs under the sky.

(ii. 378)

[31]

[Where the whirlipuff comes as if something was in 't]

Where the whirlipuff comes as if something was in 't,
And tazzles the grasses, and ruffles the corn,
And runs o'er the corn-field in less than a minute.

(ii. 395)

[32]

[The moor-cock springs on whirring wings]

The moor-cock springs on whirring wings
Among the blooming heather.

(ii. 395)