Robert Burns - How To Know Him by William Allan Neilson
page 127 of 334 (38%)
page 127 of 334 (38%)
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coquetry, joyous confession of affection returned--these are only a
few of the phases of woman's love rendered here with a felicity that leaves nothing to be desired. What woman has so interpreted the feelings of her sex? The next two express a girl's repugnance at the thought of marriage with an old man; and the two following form a pair treating the same theme, one from the girl's point of view, the other from the lover's. The later verses of _My Love She's but a Lassie Yet_, however, though full of vivacity, have so little to do with the first or with one another that the song seems to be a collection of scraps held together by a common melody. WHAT CAN A YOUNG LASSIE What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie, What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man? Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie [mother] To sell her poor Jenny for siller an' lan'! [money] He's always compleenin' frae mornin' to e'enin', He boasts and he hirples the weary day lang: [coughs, limps] He's doylt and he's dozin, his bluid it is frozen, [stupid, benumbed] O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man! He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers, I never can please him do a' that I can; He's peevish, and jealous of a' the young fellows: O, dool on the day I met wi' an auld man! [woe] |
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