WILLY AND HELEN

[Original]

Wharefore sou'd ye talk o' love,

Unless it be to pain us?

Wharefore sou'd ye talk o' love

Whan ye say the sea maun twain us?"

"It's no because my love is light,

Nor for your angry deddy,

It's a' to buy ye pearlins bright,

An' to busk ye like a leddy."

"O, Willy! I can caird an' spin,

Sae ne'er can want for deeding;

And, gin I ha'e my Willy's heart,

I ha'e a' the pearls I'm heedin'.

"Will it be time to praise this cheek,

Whan years an' tears ha'e blench'd it?

Will it be time to talk o' love

Whan cauld an' care ha'e quench'd it?"

He's laid ae han' aboot her waist,

The ither's held to heaven;

An' his luik was like the luik o' man

Wha's heart in twa is riven.

The auld laird o' Knockdon is dead,

There's few for him will sorrow;

For Willy's steppit in his stead,

But an' his comely marrow.

There's a cosy bield at yon burn fit,

Wi' a bourtree at the en' o't;

O, mony a day may it see yet

Ere care or canker ken o't!

The lily leans out owre the brae,

An' the rose leans owre the lily:

An' there the bonny twasome lay—

Fair Helen an' her Willy.

——Hew Ainslie.