Mary Morison

Mary Morison

Original Text
The Works of Robert Burns, ed. James Currie (Liverpool: J. M'Creery; and Edinburgh: W. Creech, 1800), vol. IV. D-10/7273 Fisher Library.
1O Mary, at thy window be,
2      It is the wish'd, the trysted hour!
3Those smiles and glances let me see,
4      That makes the miser's treasure poor:
5How blythely wad I bide the stoure,
6      A weary slave frae sun to sun,
7Could I the rich reward secure,
8      The lovely Mary Morison.
9Yestreen when to the trembling string
10      The dance gaed thro' the lighted ha'
11To thee my fancy took its wing,
12      I sat, but neither heard nor saw:
13Tho' this was fair, and that was braw,
14      And yon the toast of a' the town,
15I sigh'd, and said amang them a',
16      "Ye are na Mary Morison."
17O Mary, canst thou wreck his peace,
18      Wha for thy sake wad gladly die?
19Or canst thou break that heart of his,
20      Whase only faut is loving thee?
21If love for love thou wilt na gie
22      At least be pity to me shown:
23A thought ungentle canna be
24      The thought o' Mary Morison.

Notes

2] trysted hour: appointed hour. Back to Line
5] bide the stoure: bear the hardship. Back to Line
10] ha': hall. Back to Line
13] braw: gaily dressed. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1800
RPO poem Editors
G. G. Falle
RPO Edition
3RP 2.299.
Rhyme
ababbcac