Page:Five excellent new songs (3).pdf/2

 THE COTTAGERS DAUGHTER.

Ah ! tell me, ye swains, have you seen my Past– ora ? O say, have you met the sweet nymph on your way ? Transcendent as Venus, and blithe as Aurora, From Neptune‘s bed rising to hail the new day: Forlorn do I wander, and long time have fought her. The fairest, the rarest, for ever my theme ; A goddess in form, tho‘ a cottager's daughter That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream.

Though lordings so gay, and young squires have sought her, To link her fair hand in the conjugal chain; Devoid of ambition, the cottager's daughter Convinc'd them their offers and flattery were vain, When first I beheld her, I fondly besought her,