Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

418 . Song—O were my love you lilac fair

O WERE my love yon Lilac fair,

Wi’ purple blossoms to the Spring,

And I, a bird to shelter there,

When wearied on my little wing!

How I wad mourn when it was torn

By Autumn wild, and Winter rude!

But I wad sing on wanton wing,

When youthfu’ May its bloom renew’d.

O gin my love were yon red rose,

That grows upon the castle wa’;

And I myself a drap o’ dew,

Into her bonie breast to fa’!

O there, beyond expression blest,

I’d feast on beauty a’ the night;

Seal’d on her silk-saft faulds to rest,

Till fley’d awa by Phœbus’ light!