Song—Handsome Nell
O once I lovÂ’d a bonie lass,
Ay, and I love her still;
And whilst that virtue warms my breast,
IÂ’ll love my handsome Nell.
As bonie lasses I hae seen,
And mony full as braw;
But, for a modest gracefuÂ’ mein,
The like I never saw.
A bonie lass, I will confess,
Is pleasant to the eÂ’e;
But, without some better qualities,
SheÂ’s no a lass for me.
But NellyÂ’s looks are blythe and sweet,
And what is best of aÂ’,
Her reputation is complete,
And fair without a flaw.
She dresses aye sae clean and neat,
Both decent and genteel;
And then thereÂ’s something in her gait
Gars ony dress look weel.
A gaudy dress and gentle air
May slightly touch the heart;
But itÂ’s innocence and modesty
That polishes the dart.
Â’Tis this in Nelly pleases me,
Â’Tis this enchants my soul;
For absolutely in my breast
She reigns without control.
Poems by Robert Burns
