The Book of Scottish Song/How ardently

How ardently.

[James Yool.—Air, "My Nannie, O."]

How ardently my bosom glows
Wi' love to thee, my dearie, 0,
My panting heart its passion shows,
Whenever thou art near me, O.
The sweetness o' thy artless smile,
Thy sparkling e'e's resistless wile,
Gars sober reason back recoil,
Wi' love turn'd tapsalteerie, O.

Thy lips, sure seats o' sweet delight,
Wha e'er may haflins see them, O,
Maun be a cauldrife, lifeless wight,
Shou'd he no try to pree them, O;
To me thou ever shalt be dear,
Thy image in my heart I'll wear,
Contentment's sun my day shall cheer,
As lang's thou'lt be my dearie, O.

Nae will-o'-wisp's delusive blaze,
Through fortune's fen sae drearie, O,
Nor wealth, nor fame's attractive rays,
Shall lure me frae my dearie, O;
But through the rural shady grove,
Owre flow'ry lea wi' thee I'll rove;
My cot shall be the seat o' love
While life remains, my dearie, O.

The pleasing scenes of nature gay,
May charm the heart that's sairy, O;
Yet even such scenes to me add wae,
When absent frae my dearie, O.
Remembrance broods still on the hour,
When first within yon lonely bower,
I felt the love-enslaving power
Of thy sweet charms, my dearie, O.

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