Like one beloved, the scene had lent To the dark water’s breast Its every leaf and lineament With more than truth exprest; Until an envious wind crept by,— Like an unwelcome thought Which from the mind’s too faithful eye Blots one dear image out. Though Thou art ever fair and kind, And forests ever green, Less oft is peace in Shelley’s mind Than calm in waters seen.
P. B. Shelley.
[ AULD ROBIN GRAY]
When the sheep are in the fauld, and the kye at hame, And a’ the warld to rest are gane, The waes o’ my heart fa’ in showers frae my e’e, While my gudeman lies sound by me.
Young Jamie lo’ed me weel, and sought me for his bride; But saving a croun he had naething else beside: To make the croun a pund, young Jamie gaed to sea; And the croun and the pund were baith for me.
He hadna been awa’ a week but only twa, When my father brak his arm, and the cow was stown awa’; My mother she fell sick, and my Jamie at the sea— And auld Robin Gray came a-courtin’ me.
My father couldna work, and my mother couldna spin; I toil’d day and night, but their bread I couldna win; Auld Rob maintain’d them baith, and wi’ tears in his e’e Said, ‘Jennie, for their sakes, O, marry me!’
My heart it said nay; I look’d for Jamie back; But the wind it blew high, and the ship it was a wrack His ship it was a wrack—why didna Jamie dee, Or why do I live to cry, Wae’s me?
