Hurrah for the Bonnets of Blue (Glasgow, 1829)/The Cypress Wreath

by Walter Scott

THE CYPRESS WREATH.
A Glee for 3 voices.

O lady twine no wreath for me,Or twine of the cypress tree!Too lively glows the lily’s lightThe varnish’d holly’s all too bright,The May-flower and the eglantine.May shade a brow less sad than mine,But, lady, weave no wreath for me,Or weave it of the cypress tree.

Let dimpled mirth his temples twineWith tendrils of the laughing vine;The manly oak, the pensive yew.To patriot and to sage be due,The myrtle bough bids lovers live,But that Matilda will not give;Then, lady, weave no wreath for me.Or twine it of the cypress tree.

Let merry England proudly rearHer boasted roses-bought so dear;Let Albyn bind her bonnet blue.With heath and hare-bell dipt in dew,On favour’d Erin’s crest be seenThe fiow’r she loves of emerald green :But, lady, twine no wreath for me,Or twine it of the cypress tree.

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