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 brainFrom 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 appearIn this dear maid so nearly.Such nat'rul sweetness she display'd,Like lilies in a bogie;Diana's self was ne'er array'dLike 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 possessThis 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 decreedFor me so fine a creature,⟨Whose⟩ beauty rare makes her exceedAll 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.