Classic Poem

Schir, for your grace, bayth nicht and day

1

Schir, for your grace, bayth nicht and day,
Richt hartlie on my kneis I pray,
With all devotioun that I can:
God gif ye war Iohne Thomsounis man.

2

For war it so, than weill war me.
But benefice I wald nocht be,
My hard fortoun wer endit than.
God gif ye war Iohne Thomsounis man.

3

Than wald sum reuth within yow rest,
For saik of hir, fairest and best
In Bartane sen hir tyme began.
God gif ye war Iohne Thomsounis man.

4

For it micht hurt in no degre,
That on so fair and gude as sche
Throw hir vertew sic wirschip wan,
Als yow to mak Iohne Thomsounis man.

5

I wald gif all that ever I haue,
To that conditioun, sa God me saif,
That ye had vowit to the swan,
Ane yeir to be Iohne Thomsounis man.

6

The mersy of that sweit meik Rose
Suld soft yow, Thirsill, I suppois,
Quhois pykis throw me so reuthles ran.
God gif ye war Iohne Thomsounis man.

7

My aduocat, bayth fair and sweit,
The hale reiosing of my spreit,
Wald speid in to my erand than,
And ye war anis Iohne Thomsounis man.

8

Ever quhen I think yow harde or dour,
Or mercyles in my succour,
Than pray I God and sweit sanct An,
Gif that ye war Iohne Thomsounis man.English