Classic Poem

Fair Mary, thou art exquisite,
in all respects excelling;
since I gave such constant love to thee,
paying court to thee in every company,
I am trusting in thy graciousness
and what I have had of thy converse already,
that none can lure thee away from me,
after thy promise to me.

I have heard of oak, as an adage,
that it is a peculiar timber:
that 'tis a wedge of itself, being tightened,
would rive it into splinters;
I am hoping, by that principle,
thou art pleased I am of thy people,
and wilt not forsake me, and that I shall get thee
in the firm bonds of wedlock.

Last night what kept me wakeful
was the youthful love I gave thee;
my thoughts were often centred
on the most accomplished maiden;
there is no fault to note in thee
from thy crown to thy shoe-heel:
nay, prudent, liberal, amiable
thou art, and ever smiling.

Thy shining hair, full beautiful,
is round thy neck set neatly;
resembling harp strings, 'tis entwined
in bright and stylish ringlets;
brown-hued, braided, perfectly plaited,
bushy, luxuriant, thick,
wavy, tressy, curly, rolled,
comely, coiled and golden yellow.

Thy face shows maiden modesty,
two fine eyebrows like bird's feather,
smooth and healthy eyelashes,
and two blue, winning, demure eyes;
like berries of the rowan branch
is thy cheek which has outvied roses;
thy teeth white, comely, dainty, fine;
thy mouth, whence song comes sweetly.

As orchard apples is thy kiss,
thy throat is like the daisy;
thy breasts are full and prominent,
with silk holding them even;
body lissom, white, tender, inviting,
of goodly form, not flaunty;
thy calves are round and sturdy, and thine the foot
that will not bend the grass blade.

For this cause thou wouldst disparage me,
thou deemest my wealth meagre;
a dozen things would wile from me
what substance I had gathered;
there would be drinking, feast and wedding,
there were music, taxes, purchases,
the fair, the sweetheart fairings,
one's foolishness and youth.

Now if I got thee joined to me
I would not cling to such ways;
I would till the land, and place for thee
milch cows around the fold;
I would kill the ocean fish for thee,
and the deer in the misty pass,
with slender gun that will not err,
and would trick the antler-bearer.

Great is the love I felt for thee,
while yet I scarcely knew thee,
trusting thou wouldst be my sweetheart,
nor in my hope delude me;
though death should be nigh unto me
with no prospect of escape from it,
'tis the gentle maid would make me whole,
fair Mary from Lochlairig.