1771-1779

　　song—handsome nell 注释标题 the first of my performances.—r. b.

　　tune—“i am a man unmarried.”

　　once i lov'd a bonie lass,

　　ay, and i love her still;

　　and whilst that virtue warms my breast,

　　i'll love my handsome nell.

　　as bonie lasses i hae seen,

　　and mony full as braw;

　　but, for a modest gracefu' mein,

　　the like i never saw.

　　a bonie lass, i will confess,

　　is pleasant to the e'e;

　　but, without some better qualities,

　　she's no a lass for me.

　　but nelly's looks are blythe and sweet,

　　and what is best of a',

　　her reputation is complete,

　　and fair without a flaw.

　　she dresses aye sae clean and neat,

　　both decent and genteel;

　　and then there's something in her gait

　　gars ony dress look weel.

　　a gaudy dress and gentle air

　　may slightly touch the heart;

　　but it's innocence and modesty

　　that polishes the dart.

　　'tis this in nelly pleases me,

　　'tis this enchants my soul;

　　for absolutely in my breast

　　she reigns without control.