I wish that I were dead, but I'm no like to dee; For, though my heart is broken, I 'm but young,

wae 's me!

32

I gang like a ghaist, and I carena much to spin;
I daurna think on Jamie, for that wad be a sin;
But I'll do my best a gude wife aye to be,
For auld Robin Gray he is kind to me.

36

1771.

Lady Anne Lindsay.

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

ALL in the Downs the fleet was moored,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came aboard;
“O, where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true,
If my sweet William sails among the crew."

William, who high upon the yard

Rocked with the billow to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice he heard,
He sighed, and cast his eyes below:
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing
hands,

And quick as lightning on the deck he

stands.

12

So the sweet lark, high poised in air,
Shuts close his pinions to his breast,
If chance his mate's shrill call he hear,
And drops at once into her nest:-
The noblest captain in the British fleet
Might envy William's lip those kisses sweet. 18

"O Susan, Susan; lovely dear,

My vows shall ever true remain
Let me kiss off that falling tear;
We only part to meet again.

Change as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still points to thee. 24

"Believe not what the landmen say

Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind:
They'll tell thee, sailors, when away,
In every port a mistress find:

Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For thou art present wheresoe'er I go.

"If to fair India's coast we sail,

Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright,
Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale,
Thy skin is ivory so white.

Thus every beauteous object that I view

Wakes in

Sue.

my

soul some charm of lovely

"Though battle call me from thy arms,

Let not my pretty Susan mourn;
Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms
William shall to his dear return...

30

36

Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, Lest precious tears should drop from Susan's eye...

The boatswain gave the dreadful word,
The sails their swelling bosom spread;
No longer must she stay aboard:

42

They kissed, she sighed, he hung his head.) Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land'; 'Adieu!" she cried; and waved her lily hand. 48

1720.

John Gay.

THE SAILOR'S WIFE

AND are ye sure the news is true?
And are ye sure he's weel?
Is this a time to think o' wark?
Ye jades, lay by your wheel;
Is this the time to spin a thread,
When Colin's at the door?

Reach down my cloak, I'll to the quay,
And see him come ashore.

For there 's nae luck about the house,

There's nae luck at a';

There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.

And gie to me my bigonet,

My bishop's-satin gown;

For I maun tell the baillie's wife
That Colin's in the town.

My Turkey slippers maun gae on,
My stockin's pearly blue;
It 's a' to pleasure our gudeman,

For he's baith leal and true.

Rise, lass, and mak a clean fireside,
Put on the muckle pot;

Gie little Kate her button gown,
And Jock his Sunday coat;
And mak their shoon as black as slaes,

Their hose as white as snaw;
It's a' to please my ain gudeman,
For he's been long awa'.

There's twa fat hens upo' the coop
Been fed this month and mair;
Mak haste and thraw their necks about,
That Colin weel ́may fare;

And spread the table neat and clean,

Gar ilka' thing look braw,

For wha can tell how Colin fared
When he was far awa'?

20

28

Sae true his heart, sae smooth his speech,

His breath like caller air;

His very foot has music in 't

As he

And will I see his face again?

comes up the stair,

And

will I hear him speak?

I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought,
In troth I'm like to greet!

36

If Colin's weel, and weel content,
I hae nae mair to crave:
And gin I live to keep him sae
I'm blest aboon the lave:
And will I see his face again?
And will I hear him speak?
I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought,
In troth I'm like to greet.

For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a';

There's little pleasure in the house

OH! young Lochinvar is come out of the west Through all the wide Border his steed was the

best;

And save his good broadsword he weapons had

none,

He rode all unarmed and he rode all alone.

So faithful in love and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochin

var.