Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79.
The Lassie o’ Carmyle
By Hugh Macdonald (1817–1860)’T
The fields were wet wi’ dew,
And Clutha’s banks were clad wi’ flowers
Of fairest form and hue;
The wild birds sang their sweetest notes,
Blithe Phœbus ceased to smile,
As wandering forth I chanced to meet
The lassie o’ Carmyle.
The rosebud’s sweetest hue;
Her hair was like the raven’s wing,
Her eyes a lovely blue.
O’ercome with love and sweet surprise,
Entranced I stood awhile,
Then fondly clasped, in warm embrace,
The lassie o’ Carmyle.
Wi’ her could ne’er compare;
The primrose pale, the violet’s blue,
Were ne’er so sweet and fair.
I told my love wi’ artless tongue,
Wi’ heart unstained by guile;
She blushed, she smiled, but noo she ’s mine,
The lassie o’ Carmyle.
The slippery hill of fame;
Unenvied now, pale avarice gains
Blind fortune’s fickle game:
For what are rank or fame to me
Compared wi’ her sweet smile?
My heart’s first treasure still shall be
The lassie o’ Carmyle.