Dragoon and Peggy/The generous gentleman

THE GENEROUS GENTLEMAN.

AS I came in by Tiviot-side
and by the braes of Branksome,
There first I saw my bonny bride
young smiling, sweet and handsome;
Her skin was faster than the down,
and white as alabaster;
Her hair a shining wavy brown;
in straightness nane surpast her.

Love glow'd upon her lip and cheek,
her clear een were surprising,
And beautifully turn'd her neck,
her little breasts just rising:
Nae silken hose, with gushets fine,
or shoon with glancing laces
On her fair leg, forbad to shine,
well shapen native graces.

Ae little coat, and bodice white,
was sum of a' her claithing;
Even thae's o'er meikle;—mair delyte
she’d giveu cled wi' naithing:
She lean'd upon a flowery brae,
by which a burny trotted;
On her I glowr'd my soul away,
while on her sweets I doated.

A thousand beauties of deceit
before had scarce alarm'd me,
'Till this dear artless struck my heart,
and but designing charm'd me.
Hurry'd by love close to my breast
I grasp'd this fund of blisses:
Wha smil'd, and said, Without a priest,
sir, hope for nought but kisses.

I had nae heart to do her harm,
and yet I cou'dna want her,
What she demanded, ilka charm
of her's pled, I should grant her.
Since Heaven had dealt to me a rowth,
straight to the kirk I led her,
There plighted her my faith and trowth,
and a young lady made her.