Classic Poem

To the Tune of , I thy bonny Jocky.

I.

O That e'er I knew thee! now, no more I woo thee,
Charmer of my soul! I must away,
Honour now demands me — love of thee withstands me;
Tell me, which of these I must obey?
Alas! I would with-hold thee — ever, thus, enfold thee,
But I dare not stay thee — no — I yield:
Glory, and promotion — call thee o'er the ocean,
Go, be brave, and conquer — grace the field.

II.

Stay, thou hasty rover — stay, thou frosty lover;
Turn, and ease a heart, that breaks with pain:
What, if death should reach thee — go not, I beseech thee;
Honour is a cheat — Oh! turn again.
Since danger must o'ertake thee — why did nature make thee
Sweeter far, than eyes e'er saw before?
Man is maid's deceiver — wins her, but to leave her,
Never, If I loose thee, smile I more.

III.

Tell me true, sincerely — maids, who love so dearly,
But there ne'er was maid , yet, lov'd like me,
Tell me, cou'd you lose him? — wou'd you not accuse him?
Wou'd you not refuse, to set him free?
Shall I, who love his glory — blot his name, from story?
Man was made to guard his country's fame.
She, who so restrains him — for disgrace, detains him,
Shall a love, like his, be paid, with shame?

IV.

Go, my brave alarmer! — go, my daring charmer!
Go, and come again, with ten-fold grace:
Fight, to bless, and save me — foes shall ne'er enslave me;
To no chain, but yours, my pride gives place.

Oh! what tender greeting, at our happy meeting,
Will our leaping hearts each other give!
You , with triumph , blazing — I , with rapture , gazing,
Lov'd , and loving long, we both shall live.