LamentOfMary,QueenOfScots,OnTheApproachOfSpring

1791

lamentofmary,queenofscots,ontheapproachofspring

nownaturehangshermantlegreen

oneverybloomingtree,

andspreadshersheetso'daisieswhite

outo'erthegrassylea;

nowphoebuscheersthecrystalstreams,

andgladstheazureskies;

butnoughtcangladthewearywight

thatfastindurancelies.

nowlaverockswakethemerrymorn

aloftondewywing;

themerle,inhisnoontidebow'r,

makeswoodlandechoesring;

themaviswildwi'monyanote,

singsdrowsydaytorest:

inloveandfreedomtheyrejoice,

wi'carenorthrallopprest.

nowbloomsthelilybythebank,

theprimrosedownthebrae;

thehawthorn'sbuddingintheglen,

andmilk-whiteistheslae:

themeanesthindinfairscotland

mayrovetheirsweetsamang;

buti,thequeenofa'scotland,

maunlieinprisonstrang.

iwasthequeeno'boniefrance,

wherehappyihaebeen;

fu'lightlyraiseiinthemorn,

asblythelaydownate'en:

andi'mthesov'reignofscotland,

andmonyatraitorthere;

yethereilieinforeignbands,

andnever-endingcare.

butasforthee,thoufalsewoman,

mysisterandmyfae,

grimvengeanceyetshallwhetasword

thatthro'thysoulshallgae;

theweepingbloodinwoman'sbreast

wasneverknowntothee;

north'balmthatdrapsonwoundsofwoe

fraewoman'spityinge'e.

myson!myson!maykinderstars

uponthyfortuneshine;

andmaythosepleasuresgildthyreign,

thatne'erwadblinkonmine!

godkeeptheefraethymother'sfaes,

orturntheirheartstothee:

andwherethoumeet'stthymother'sfriend,

rememberhimforme!