ON A BANK OF FLOWERS_POEMS AND SONGS BY ROBERT BURNS

Directory:POEMS AND SONGS

ON A BANK OF FLOWERS

ON a bank of flowers, in a summer day,

For summer lightly drest,

The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,

With love and sleep opprest;

When Willie, wand'ring thro' the wood,

Who for her favour oft had sued;

  He gaz'd, he wish'd

  He fear'd, he blush'd,

And trembled where he stood.

Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheath'd,

Were seal'd in soft repose;

Her lip, still as she fragrant breath'd,

It richer dyed the rose;

The springing lilies, sweetly prest,

Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast;

  He gaz'd, he wish'd,

  He mear'd, he blush'd,

His bosom ill at rest.

Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,

Her tender limbs embrace;

Her lovely form, her native ease,

All harmony and grace;

Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,

A faltering, ardent kiss he stole;

  He gaz'd, he wish'd,

  He fear'd, he blush'd,

And sigh'd his very soul.

As flies the partridge from the brake,

On fear-inspired wings,

So Nelly, starting, half-awake,

Away affrighted springs;

But Willie follow'd—as he should,

He overtook her in the wood;

  He vow'd, he pray'd,

  He found the maid

Forgiving all, and good.

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