Classic Poem

Young Isabel of the yellow, golden hair,
rose-like is thy cheek, and apple-sweet thy kiss:
beautiful, tender and dainty thy mouth,
from which one was favoured with tuneful, sweet songs.

Thou hast the clearest, fairest, most maidenly hue:
redder than strawberry is the flush in thy cheek;
thine the mild eye, full, gentle and meek,
and serene, shy countenance, full of modesty.

The likeness of the maid is the swan on the wave;
thy waist is like mountain down, so tender and soft;
thy breasts are projecting on a bright, white bosom;
thy throat is like a sun, and thy skin like ivory.

Thy wavy hair in ringlets, and compact, yellow curls,
is crinkly, bright-hued, full of spirals and loops,
in braided tresses and close-woven plaits,
the whole intertwined like strings of instrument.

There's many a strain of noble blood, without taint or reproach,
that mounteth in surges up in thy brow:
Clan Donald of valour who triumphed on every field,
till came the sorry day they were deposed from the right wing.

Of direct Campbell descent is the trim, young maid;
thy kinsmen would yield to no foemen that breathe;
each strand in thy lineage doth ever add to thy worth,
for thou art of the Earl's house, sprung from Diarmaid.

Thy grandmother's people are great and amply renowned,
the mettlesome Camerons who were fierce in pursuing:
in many a place have they proved, by the exploits of their hands,
that they were deadly with their weapons against the redcoats of George.

'Tis the most charming damsel they had in the land,
that chanced to be in my house, being nursed at the breast;
when she takes her place some day at the King's Fair,
many a landed gentleman will ask who she is.

A dear, placid lassie, and bright of a truth,
she is elegant, handsome, neither bent nor askew,
with her trim, shapely calf that would travel a road,
and a neat, pliant foot, that will not damage the shoe.

A coloured satin gown, in the mode, will well become thee,
with stays pulled tightly, as firm as they should;
and rings, set with diamonds, on each finger joint,
while ruffles and ribbons will deck young Isabel.