Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Robert Burns. 17591796502. O were my Love yon Lilac fair
O WERE my Love yon lilac fair, | |
Wi’ purple blossoms to the spring, | |
And I a bird to shelter there, | |
When wearied on my little wing; | |
How I wad mourn when it was torn | 5 |
By autumn wild and winter rude! | |
But I wad sing on wanton wing | |
When youthfu’ May its bloom renew’d. | |
O gin my Love were yon red rose | |
That grows upon the castle wa’, | 10 |
And I mysel a drap o’ dew, | |
Into her bonnie breast to fa’; | |
O there, beyond expression blest, | |
I’d feast on beauty a’ the night; | |
Seal’d on her silk-saft faulds to rest, | 15 |
Till fley’d awa’ by Phoebus’ light. |