| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Robert Burns. 1759–1796 |
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| 502. O were my Love yon Lilac fair |
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| O WERE my Love yon lilac fair, | |
| Wi' purple blossoms to the spring, | |
| And I a bird to shelter there, | |
| When wearied on my little wing; | |
| How I wad mourn when it was torn | 5 |
| By autumn wild and winter rude! | |
| But I wad sing on wanton wing | |
| When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd. | |
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| O gin my Love were yon red rose | |
| That grows upon the castle wa', | 10 |
| And I mysel a drap o' dew, | |
| Into her bonnie breast to fa'; | |
| O there, beyond expression blest, | |
| I'd feast on beauty a' the night; | |
| Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest, | 15 |
| Till fley'd awa' by Phoebus' light. | |
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