The Canary/Katherine Ogie

by Richard Gall

For other versions of this work, see Katherine Ogie.

Katherine Ogie.

As walking forth to view the plain,
Upon a morning early,
While May's sweet scelt did cheer my brain
From flowers which grow sae rarely:
I chanc'd to meet a pretty maid,
She shin'd though it was fogie,
I ask'd her name: Sweet Sir, she said,
My name is Kath'rine Ogie.

I stood a while, and did admire,
To see a nymph so stately;
So brisk an air there did appear
In this dear maid so nearly.
Such nat'rul sweetness she display'd,
Like lilies in a bogie;
Diana's self was ne'er array'd
Like this same Kath'rine Ogie.

Thou flower of females, Beauty's queen,
Who sees thee, sure must prize thee;
Though thou art dress'd in robes but ⟨mean,⟩
Yet these cannot disguise thee:
⟨Thy⟩ handsome air, and graceful look,
Excels a clownish rogie;
⟨Thou'rt⟩ match for laird, or lord, or duke,
My charming Kath'rine Ogie.

⟨O ⟩were I but some shepherd swain;
To feed my flock beside thee,
⟨At⟩ bughting-time to leave the plain,
In milking to abide thee,
⟨I'd⟩ think myself a happier man,
With Kate, my club, and dogie,
⟨Than⟩ he that hugs his thousands ten,
Had I but Kath'rine Ogie.

⟨Then⟩ I'd despise the imperial throne,
And statesmen's dangerous station
⟨I'd⟩ be no king, I'd wear no crown,
⟨I'd⟩ smile at conquering nations;
⟨Might⟩ I caress, and still possess
This lass of whom I'm vogie;
⟨For⟩ these are toys, and still look less,
Compar'd wi' Kath'rine Ogie.

⟨I fear⟩ the gods have not decreed
For me so fine a creature,
⟨Whose⟩ beauty rare makes her exceed
All other works of nature.
⟨Clouds⟩ of despair surround my love,
That are both dark and fogie:
Pity my case, ye powers above,
I die for Kath'rine Ogie.