The Lass O Ballochmyle
the lass o' ballochmyle tune—“ettrick banks.” 'twas even—the dewy fields were green, on every blade the pearls hang; the zephyr wanton'd round the bean, and bore its fragrant sweets alang: in ev'ry glen the mavis sang, all nature list'ning seem'd the while, except where greenwood echoes rang, amang the braes o' ballochmyle. with careless step i onward stray'd, my heart rejoic'd in nature's joy, when, musing in a lonely glade, a maiden fair i chanc'd to spy: her look was like the morning's eye, her air like nature's vernal smile: perfection whisper'd, passing by, “behold the lass o' ballochmyle!” fair is the morn in flowery may, and sweet is night in autumn mild; when roving thro' the garden gay, or wand'ring in the lonely wild: but woman, nature's darling child! there all her charms she does compile; even there her other works are foil'd by the bonie lass o' ballochmyle. o, had she been a country maid, and i the happy country swain, tho' shelter'd in the lowest shed that ever rose on scotland's plain! thro' weary winter's wind and rain, with joy, with rapture, i would toil; and nightly to my bosom strain the bonie lass o' ballochmyle. then pride might climb the slipp'ry steep, where frame and honours lofty shine; and thirst of gold might tempt the deep, or downward seek the indian mine: give me the cot below the pine, to tend the flocks or till the soil; and ev'ry day have joys divine with the bonie lass o' ballochmyle.