T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Down the Burn Davie
Anonymous(From Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius, i. 113; 1733) |
WHEN Trees did bud, and Fields were green, | |
And Broom bloom’d fair to see; | |
When Mary was compleat Fifteen, | |
And Love laugh’d in her Eye; | |
Blythe Davie’s Blinks her Heart did move, | 5 |
To speak her Mind thus free, | |
Gang down the Burn, Davie, Love, | |
And I shall follow thee. | |
Now Davie did each Lad surpass, | |
That dwelt on this Burn-side, | 10 |
And Mary was the bonniest Lass, | |
Just meet to be a Bride; | |
Her Cheeks were rosy, red and white, | |
Her Een were bonny blue; | |
Her Looks were like Aurora bright, | 15 |
Her Lips like dropping Dew. | |
As down the Burn they took their way, | |
What tender Tales they said! | |
His Cheek to hers he oft did lay, | |
And with her Bosom play’d; | 20 |
Till baith at length impatient grown, | |
To be mair fully blest, | |
In yonder Vale, they lean’d them down; | |
Love only saw the rest. | |
What pass’d I guess, was harmless Play, | 25 |
And naithing sure unmeet; | |
For ganging hame, I heard him say, | |
They liked a wa’k sae sweet; | |
And that they aften shou’d return, | |
Sic pleasure to renew. | 30 |
Quoth Mary, Love, I like the Burn, | |
And ay shall follow you. | |