《Poems and Songs of Robert Burns》Song—handsome nell

  1771-1779
  song—handsome nell 注释标题 the first of my performances.—r. b.
  tune—“i am a man unmarried.”
  once i lovd a bonie lass,
  ay, and i love her still;
  and whilst that virtue warms my breast,
  ill love my handsome nell.
  as bonie lasses i hae seen,
  and mony full as braw;
  but, for a mst gracefu mein,
  the like i never saw.
  a bonie lass, i will confess,
  is pleasant to the ee;
  but, without some better qualities,
  shes no a lass for me.
  but nellys looks are blythe and sweet,
  and what is best of a,
  her reputation isplete,
  and fair without a flaw.
  she dresses aye sae clean and neat,
  bothcent and genteel;
  and then theres something in her gait
  gars ony dress look weel.
  a gaudy dress and gentle air
  may slightly touch the heart;
  but its innocence and msty
  that polishes the dart.
  tis this in nelly pleases me,
  tis this enchants my soul;
  for absolutely in my breast
  she reigns without control.