Page:The Hundred Best Poems (lyrical) in the English language - second series.djvu/54

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

ROBERT BURNS.

Eternity cannot efface
Those records dear of transports past,
Thy image at our last embrace—
Ah! little thought we 'twas our last!

III.

Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore,

O'erhung with wild woods thickening green;
The fragrant birch and hawthorn hoar
'Twin'd amorous round the raptur'd scene;
The flowers sprang wanton to be prest,
The birds sang love on every spray,
Till too, too soon, the glowing west
Proclaim'd the speed of winged day.

IV.

Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes,

And fondly broods with miser-care.
Time but th' impression stronger makes,
As streams their channels deeper wear.
O Mary, dear departed shade!
Where is thy place of blissful rest?
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid?
Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast?


17.
The Blue-Eyed Lassie.

I.

I GAED a waefu' gate yestreen,

A gate I fear I'll dearly rue:
I gat my death frae twa sweet een,
Twa lovely een o' bonie blue!

32