Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Meadow Gowan

The Meadow Gowan.

"O lintie, blythe-voiced lintie," Sang the happy-heartit wren,To its neebour on the auld aik tree That grows i' the Hazelglen;"O lintie, gleefu' lintie, I' yer ain clear accents tellWhilk o' the blossoms ye like the best, In field or flower-gemmed fell?"

"O sunshine-lovin' birdie," Sang the siller-toned lintie gay,"I lo'e the flowers o' the green-gilt bowers, An' I lo'e my ain sweet May;An' noo that she busks the meadows, In vestures o' fairy green,Fu' mony braw buds i' the lanely woods Bloom rosily serene.

"The sky-blue glow o' the violet Shines oot frae its cosy nook,An' the harebell's pride nods owre the side O' the crystal-rinnin' brook;The snaw-white virgin lily, The yellow-frilled daffodil,Bestud the knowe an' the huntin' howe, An' the emerald-tinted hill.

"But o' a' the shinin' colours O' purple an' azure dye,That paint the flowers o' the woodland bowers Sae fair an' sae ruddily,I lo'e the white o' the gowan, A' modest-like an' mild,Wi' its spotless face o' maiden grace— 'Tis the meadow's bonniest child.

"O gowan, gowd-lipt gowan, Wi' yer rosy-spangled crest,An' yer stainless lips, whaur the clear dew drips, 'Tis you I lo'e the best."