Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
419 . Bonie Jean: A Ballad
T
At kirk or market to be seen;
When a’ our fairest maids were met,
The fairest maid was bonie Jean.
And aye she sang sae merrilie; The blythest bird upon the bush Had ne’er a lighter heart than she. That bless the little lintwhite’s nest; And frost will blight the fairest flowers, And love will break the soundest rest. The flower and pride of a’ the glen; And wanton naigies nine or ten. He danc’d wi’ Jeanie on the down; And, lang ere witless Jeanie wist, Her heart was tint, her peace was stown! The moon-beam dwells at dewy e’en; So trembling, pure, was tender love Within the breast of bonie Jean. And aye she sighs wi’ care and pain; Yet wist na what her ail might be, Or what wad make her weel again. And didna joy blink in her e’e, As Robie tauld a tale o’ love Ae e’ening on the lily lea? The birds sang sweet in ilka grove; His cheek to hers he fondly laid, And whisper’d thus his tale o’ love: O canst thou think to fancy me, Or wilt thou leave thy mammie’s cot, And learn to tent the farms wi’ me? Or naething else to trouble thee; But stray amang the heather-bells, And tent the waving corn wi’ me.” She had nae will to say him na: At length she blush’d a sweet consent, And love was aye between them twa.