Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
264 . SongOn a Bank of Flowers
O
For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wand’ring thro’ the wood,
Who for her favour oft had sued;
He gaz’d, he wish’d
He fear’d, he blush’d,
And trembled where he stood.
Were seal’d in soft repose; Her lip, still as she fragrant breath’d, It richer dyed the rose; The springing lilies, sweetly prest, Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast; He gaz’d, he wish’d, He mear’d, he blush’d, His bosom ill at rest. Her tender limbs embrace; Her lovely form, her native ease, All harmony and grace; Tumultuous tides his pulses roll, He gaz’d, he wish’d, He fear’d, he blush’d, And sigh’d his very soul. On fear-inspired wings, So Nelly, starting, half-awake, Away affrighted springs; But Willie follow’d-as he should, He overtook her in the wood; He vow’d, he pray’d, He found the maid Forgiving all, and good.