CIII. It Is Na, Jean, Thy Bonnie Face

Tune—“The Maid’s Complaint.”

[Burns found this song in English attire, bestowed a Scottish dress upon it, and published it in the Museum, together with the air by Oswald, which is one of his best.]

I.

It is na, Jean, thy bonnie face,
Nor shape that I admire,
Altho’ thy beauty and thy grace
Might weel awake desire.
Something in ilka part o’ thee,
To praise, to love, I find;
But dear as is thy form to me,
Still dearer is thy mind.

II.

Nae mair ungen’rous wish I hae,
Nor stronger in my breast,
Than, if I canna mak thee sae,
at least to see thee blest.
Content am I, if heaven shall give
But happiness to thee:
And as wi’ thee I’d wish to live,
For thee I’d bear to die.