PHILLIS THE FAIR.
Tune—“Robin Adair.”
[The ladies of the M’Murdo family were graceful and beautiful, and lucky in finding a poet capable of recording their charms in lasting strains. The heroine of this song was Phyllis M’Murdo; a favourite of the poet. The verses were composed at the request of Clarke, the musician, who believed himself in love with his “charming pupil.” She laughed at the presumptuous fiddler.]
I.
While larks with little wing
Fann’d the pure air,
Tasting the breathing spring,
Forth I did fare:
Gay the sun’s golden eye
Peep’d o’er the mountains high;
Such thy morn! did I cry,
Phillis the fair.
II.
In each bird’s careless song,
Glad I did share;
While yon wild flowers among,
Chance led me there:
Sweet to the opening day,
Rosebuds bent the dewy spray;
Such thy bloom! did I say,
Phillis the fair.
III.
Down in a shady walk
Doves cooing were,
I mark’d the cruel hawk,
Caught in a snare:
So kind may fortune be,
Such make his destiny!
He who would injure thee,
Phillis the fair.