I DO CONFESS THOU ART SAE FAIR.
Tune—“I do confess thou art sae fair.”
[“I do think,” says Burns, in allusion to this song, “that I have improved the simplicity of the sentiments by giving them a Scottish dress.” The original song is of great elegance and beauty: it was written by Sir Robert Aytoun, secretary to Anne of Denmark, Queen of James I.]
I.
I do confess thou art sae fair,
I wad been o’er the lugs in love,
Had I na found the slightest prayer
That lips could speak thy heart could muve.
I do confess thee sweet, but find
Thou art sae thriftless o’ thy sweets,
Thy favours are the silly wind,
That kisses ilka thing it meets.
II.
See yonder rose-bud, rich in dew,
Amang its native briers sae coy;
How sune it tines its scent and hue
When pou’d and worn a common toy!
Sic fate, ere lang, shall thee betide,
Tho’ thou may gaily bloom awhile;
Yet sune thou shalt be thrown aside
Like ony common weed and vile.