Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
273 . SongTam Glen
Some counsel unto me come len’, To anger them a’ is a pity, But what will I do wi’ Tam Glen? In poortith I might mak a fen; What care I in riches to wallow, If I maunna marry Tam Glen! “Gude day to you, brute!” he comes ben: He brags and he blaws o’ his siller, But when will he dance like Tam Glen! And bids me beware o’ young men; They flatter, she says, to deceive me, But wha can think sae o’ Tam Glen! He’d gie me gude hunder marks ten; But, if it’s ordain’d I maun take him, O wha will I get but Tam Glen! My heart to my mou’ gied a sten’; For thrice I drew ane without failing, And thrice it was written “Tam Glen”! My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken, His likeness came up the house staukin, And the very grey breeks o’ Tam Glen! I’ll gie ye my bonie black hen, Gif ye will advise me to marry The lad I lo’e dearly, Tam Glen.