[The air of this song was picked up by the poet in one of his northern tours: his Highland excursions coloured many of his lyric compositions.]
I.
Stay, my charmer, can you leave me?
Cruel, cruel, to deceive me!
Well you know how much you grieve me;
Cruel charmer, can you go?
Cruel charmer, can you go?
II.
By my love so ill requited;
By the faith you fondly plighted;
By the pangs of lovers slighted;
Do not, do not leave me so!
Do not, do not leave me so!
XL.
THICKEST NIGHT, O’ERHANG MY DWELLING.
Tune—“Strathallan’s Lament.”
[The Viscount Strathallan, whom this song commemorates, was William Drummond: he was slain at the carnage of Culloden. It was long believed that he escaped to France and died in exile.]