Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. III. The Eighteenth Century: Addison to Blake
Robert Burns (17591796)Tam Glen
M
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?
‘Guid-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 ’ll gie me gude hunder marks ten:
But, if it ’s ordained 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 cam 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.