Page:The poetical works of Robert Burns.djvu/252

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THE SONGS OF BURNS.

BY ALLAN STREAM.

TUNE—'ALLAN WATER.'

By Allan stream I chanc'd to rove,While Phœbus sank beyond Benleddi;The winds were whispering thro' the grove,The yellow corn was waving ready:I listen'd to a lover's sang,And thought on youthfu' pleasures monie;And aye the wild-wood echoes rang—O, dearly do I love thee, Annie!
O, happy be the woodbine bower,Nae nightly bogle mak it eerie;Nor ever sorrow stain the hour,The place and time I met my dearie!Her head upon my throbbing breast,She, sinking, said 'I'm thine for ever!'While monie a kiss the seal imprest,The sacred vow, we ne'er should sever.
The haunt o' spring's the primrose brae,The simmer joys the flocks to follow;How cheery thro' her shortening dayIs autumn, in her weeds o' yellow!But can they melt the glowing heart,Or chain the soul in speechless pleasure,Or, thro' each nerve the rapture dart,Like meeting her, our bosom's treasure?

HUSBAND, HUSBAND, CEASE YOUR STRIFE.

TUNE—'MY JO, JANET.'

Husband, husband, cease your strife, Nor longer idly rave, sir;Tho' I am your wedded wife,Yet I am not your slave, sir.
'One of two must still obey,Nancy, Nancy;Is it man or woman, say,My spouse, Nancy?'
If 'tis still the lordly word,Service and obedience;I'll desert my sov'reign lord,And so good-bye allegiance!
'Sad will I be, so bereft,Nancy, Nancy!Yet I'll try to make a shift,My spouse, Nancy.'
My poor heart then break it must,My last hour I'm near it:When you lay me in the dust,Think, think how you will bear it.
'I will hope and trust in Heaven,Nancy, Nancy;Strength to bear it will be given,My spouse, Nancy.'
Well, Sir, from the silent deadStill I'll try to daunt you;Ever round your midnight bedHorrid sprites shall haunt you.
'I'll wed another, like my dearNancy, Nancy;Then all hell will fly for fear,My spouse, Nancy.'
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