The moon is gleaming far and near, And cold comes down the evening dew On my sweet babe and me. An hour for charm and spell, First like the lily pale ye grew, Was it a breath of evil wind That harm'd thee, lovely child? I've watch'd thee in the mirk midnight, The moon is sitting on the hill, The owl doth chase the bearded bat, And o'er the seven sister stars On a far sea thy father sails Among the spicy isles; He thinks on thee, and thinks on me, And as he thinks, he smiles And sings, while he his white sail trims, And severs swift the sea, About his Anna's sunny locks, And of her bright blue e'e. O blessed fountain, give her back But kingdoms to a mother's heart,— MY AIN BONNIE MAY. WILLIAM NICHOLSON. O will ye go to yon burn side, My ain bonnie May? The sun blinks blithe on yon burn side, Whare lambkins lightly play; The wild bird whistles to his mate, My ain bonnie May. The waving woods, wi' mantle green, O' mony a bonnie flower. My father maws ayont the burn, To spin my mammy's gane; And should they see thee here wi' me, I'd better been my lane. The lightsome lammie little kens Whan ance the flush o' spring is o'er, The sun wi' clouds may be o'ercast, Ilk thing is in its season sweet; But cank'ring time may soil the flow'r, O, come then, while the summer shines, Ere age his with'ring, wintry blast For thee I'll tend the fleecy flocks, The blush o'erspread her bonnie face, But ga'e her hand, and walk'd alang, The youthfu' bloomin' May. THE BRIDE OF ALLANBAY. ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. Upon the bonnie mountain side, Upon the leafy trees, Upon the rich and golden fields, Upon the deep green seas, The wind comes breathing freshly forth- A wing'd shaft from the land! The sheep love Skiddaw's lonesome top, The shepherd loves his hill, The throstle loves the budding bush, Sweet woman loves her will; My son a gray-hair'd peasant said, Thine anchor in the sand; And meek and humble make thy heart; For ere yon bright'ning moon Lift her wondrous lamp above the wave |