ANONYMOUS (SCOTTISH)

i6th Cent.

jo. When Flora had O'erfret the Firth

QUHEN Flora had o'erfret the firth In May of every moneth queen ; Quhen merle and mavis singis with mirth Sweet melling in the shawis sheen ; Quhen all luvaris rejoicit bene And most desirous of their prey,

I heard a lusty luvar mene

• I luve, but I dare nocht assay ! '

4 Strong are the pains I daily prove,

But yet with patience I sustene, I am so fetterit with the luve

Only of my lady sheen,

Quhilk for her beauty micht be queen, Nature so craftily alway

Has done depaint that sweet serene : Quhom I luve I dare nocht assay.

'She is so bricht of hyd and hue,

I luve but her alone, I ween ; Is none her luve that may eschew,

That blinkis of that dulce amene;

So comely cleir are her twa een That she mae luvaris dois affray

Than ever of Greece did fair Helene : Quhom I luve I dare nocht assay!'

o'erfret] adorned. shawis] woods. sheen] beautiful. mene] mourn. , hyd] skin. blinkis] gets a glimpse.

amene] gentle and pleasant one. mae] more.

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