Poem by Robert Gilfillan

Manor Braes

WHERE Manor stream rins blythe an’ clear,
And Castlehill’s white wa’s appear,
I spent ae day, aboon a’ days,
By Manor stream, ’mang Manor braes.
The purple heath was just in bloom,
And bonnie waved the upland broom,
The flocks on flowery braes lay still,
Or, heedless, wandered at their will.

’T was there, mid nature’s calm repose,
Where Manor clearest, saftest flows,
I met a maiden fair to see,
Wi’ modest look and bashfu’ ee:
Her beauty to the mind did bring
A morn where summer blends wi’ spring,
So bright, so pure, so calm, so fair,
’T was bliss to look,—to linger there!

Ilk word cam’ frae her bosom warm,
Wi’ love to win and sense to charm,
So much of nature, naught of art,
She ’ll live enthroned within my heart!
Aboon her head the laverock sang,
And ’neath her feet the wild-flowers sprang;
O, let me dwell, where beauty strays,
By Manor stream an’ Manor braes.

I speired gif ane sae young an’ fair
Knew aught of love, wi’ a’ its care?
She said her heart frae love was free,
But aye she blushed wi’ downcast ee.
The parting cam’ as partings come,
Wi’ looks that speak, though tongues be dumb;
Yet I ’ll return, ere many days,
To live an’ love ’mang Manor braes.

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