BLOOMING NELLY.
On a bank of flowers, in a summer day,
For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wandering through the wood,
Who for her favor oft had sued,
He gazed, he wished, he feared, he blushed,
And trembled where he stood.
Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheathed,
Were sealed in soft repose;
Her lip, still as she fragrant breathed,
It richer dyed the rose.
The springing lilies sweetly prest,
Wild-wanton, kissed her rival breast:
He gazed, he wished, he feared, he blushed,
His bosom ill at rest.
Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,
Her tender limbs embrace,
Her lovely form, her native ease,
All harmony and grace:
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole:
He gazed, he wished, he feared, he blushed,
And sighed his very soul.
As flies the partridge from the brake
On fear-inspirèd wings,
So Nelly, starting, half awake,
Away affrighted springs:
But Willie followed,—as he should;
He overtook her in the wood:
He vowed, he prayed, he found the maid
Forgiving all and good.
Burns.
