Alloa House

The spring-time returns, and clothes the green plains,

And Alloa shines more cheerful and gay,

The lark tunes his throat, and the neighbouring swains,

Sing merrily round me wherever I stray:

But Sandy nae mair returns to my view;

Nae spring-time me cheers, nae music can charm;

I He's gane! and, I fear me, for ever: adieu!

Adieu every pleasure this bosom can warm!

O All'ja house! how much art thou chang'd!

How silent, how dull to me is each grove!

Alane I here wander where ance we both rang'd,

Alas! where to please me my Sandy ance strove!

Here, Sandy, I heard the tales that you tauld,

Here list'ned too fond whenever you sung;

Am I grown less fair then, that you are turn'd cauld?

Or, foolish, believ'd a false flattering tongue?

So spoke the fair maid, when sorrow's keen pain,

And shame, her last fault'ring accents supprest;

For fate, at that moment, brought back her dear swain,

Who heard, and with rapture his Nelly addrest:

My Nelly I my fair, I come; O my love!

Nae power shall thee tear again from my arms,

And, Nelly! nae mair thy fond shepherd reprove,

Who knows thy fair worth, and adores a' thy charms.

She heard; and new joy shot thro' her saft frame;

And will you, my love! be true? she replied:

And live I to meet my fond shepherd the same?

Or dream I that Sandy will make me his bride?

O Nelly! I live to find thee still kind:

Still true to thy swain, and lovely as true:

Then adieu to a' sorrow; what soul is so blind,

As not to live happy for ever with you?