What are the showy treasures? May draw the wondering gaze, But never, never can come near the heart. But did you see my dearest Chloris, Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower is, Oh then, the heart alarming, In Love's delightful fetters she chains the willing soul! Ambition would disown The world's imperial crown, Ev'n Avarice would deny His worshipp'd deity, And feel thro' every vein Love's raptures roll. FORLORN, MY LOVE, NO COMFORT NEAR. "I have written this song," says Burns in one of his letters, “in the course of an hour; so much for the speed of my Pegasus, but what say you to his bottom ?" TUNE-Let me in this ae night. FORLORN, my love, no comfort near, Cold, alter'd friendship's cruel part, But dreary tho' the moments fleet, 1 WHY, WHY TELL THY LOVER. A FRAGMENT. TUNE-The Caledonian Hunt's Delight. WHY, why tell thy lover, Bliss he never must enjoy? Why, why undeceive him, And give all his hopes the lie? Oh why, while fancy, raptured, slumbers, Why, why wouldst thou, cruel, Wake thy lover from his dream? HERE'S A HEALTH TO ANE I LO’E DEAR. This song was written for Mr. Thomson's Collection. The three first verses were sent in a letter to that gentleman, a few days before the Poet's death, which took place on the 21st July, 1796; the fourth verse was afterwards found among his manuscripts; so that this beautiful song, written under much distress of body and trouble of mind, was, in all probability, the last finished offspring of his muse. TUNE-Here's a health to them that's awa, hiney. Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear, Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear; Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet, ALTHO' thou maun never be mine, Altho' even hope is denied: 'Tis sweeter for thee despairing, Than aught in the world beside-Jessy! I mourn thro' the gay, gaudy day, I guess by the dear angel smile, FAIREST MAID ON DEVON BANKS. This song was written at Brow, on the Solway Firth, a few days before the Poet's death. TUNE-Rothermurchie's Rant. Fairest maid on Devon banks, And smile as thou wert wont to do? FULL Well thou know'st I love thee dear, Then come, thou fairest of the fair, 41 STAY, MY CHARMER, CAN YOU LEAVE ME. "The peculiar rhythm of this fine Gaelic air, and the consequent difficulty of making verses to suit it, must excuse the shortness of this song."-Morrison. TUNE-An Gille dubh ciar dhubh. STAY, my charmer, can you leave me? Well you know how much you grieve me; By my love so ill requited; MUSING ON THE ROARING OCEAN. Written in compliment to Miss Hamilton, the sister of the Poet's early friend and patron, G. Hamilton, Esq. TUNE-Druimion dubh. MUSING on the roaring ocean, Hope and fear's alternate billow, Ye whom sorrow never wounded, Gentle night, do thou befriend me: Spirits kind, again attend me, Talk of him that's far awa! THE LAZY MIST, ETC. This is an early production. It was originally written for the Museum, but since considerably altered. IRISH AIR-Coolun. THE lazy mist hangs from the brow of the hill, This life's not worth having with all it can give, MY TOCHER'S THE JEWEL. This clever, sensible song is also an early production, and was likewise written for the Museum. Oн meikle' thinks my luve o' my beauty, My tocher 's' the jewel has charms for him. Sae ye wi' anither your fortune maun try. 1 Much.- Know very well.-3 Money.-4 Honey.- Earnest-money.• Cunning. |