'Ah, Mary, sweetest maid, farewell! <br />My hopes are flown, for a 's to wreck; <br />Heaven guard you, love, and heal your heart, <br />Though mine, alas, alas! maun break.' <br /> <br />'Dearest lad, what ills betide? <br />Is Willie to his love untrue? <br />Engaged the morn to be his bride, <br />Ah! hae ye, hae ye, ta'en the rue?' <br /> <br />'Ye canna wear a ragged gown, <br />Or beggar wed wi' nought ava; <br />My kye are drown'd, my house is down, <br />My last sheep lies aneath the snaw.' <br /> <br />'Tell na me o' storm or flood, <br />Or sheep a' smoor'd ayont the hill; <br />For Willie's sake I Willie lo'ed, <br />Though poor, ye are my Willie still.' <br /> <br />'Ye canna thole the wind and rain, <br />Or wander friendless far frae hame; <br />Cheer, cheer your heart, some other swain <br />Will soon blot out lost Willie's name.' <br /> <br />'I 'll tak my bundle in my hand, <br />An' wipe the dew-drop frae my e'e; <br />I 'll wander wi' ye ower the land; <br />I 'll venture wi' ye ower the sea.' <br /> <br />'Forgi'e me, love, 'twas all a snare, <br />My flocks are safe, we needna part; <br />I 'd forfeit them and ten times mair <br />To clasp thee, Mary, to my heart.' <br /> <br />'How could ye wi' my feelings sport, <br />Or doubt a heart sae warm and true? <br />I maist could wish ye mischief for 't, <br />But canna wish ought ill to you.'<br /><br />Alexander Boswell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lass-o-isla/
