Bessy Bell & Mary Gray (1)/Bessy Bell & Mary Gray

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BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY.

O Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
⁠They were twa bonny lasses,
They bigg'd a bow'r on yon burn brae,
⁠And theek‘d it o'er wi‘ rashes,
Fair Bessy Bell I lo‘ed yestreen,
⁠And thought I ne'er could alter,
But Mary Gray’s twa pawky een,
⁠They gar my fancy faster.

Now Bessy's,hair's like a lint-tap,
⁠She smiles like a May morning,
When Phœbus starts frae Thetis’ lap,
⁠The hills with rays adorning:
White is her neck, saft is Her hand,
⁠Her waist and feet's fu’ genty;
With Ilka grace she can command;
⁠Her lips, O vow! they're dainty.

And Mary's locks are like a craw,
⁠Her een like diamonds glances;
She's ay sae clean, redd up, and braw;
⁠She kills whenev'r she dances;
Blyth as a kid, with, wit at will,
⁠She blooming, tight, and tall is;
And guides her airs sae graceful still,
⁠O Jove, she's like thy Palles.

Dear Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
⁠Ye unco salr oppress us;
Our fancies jee between you tway,
⁠Ye are sic bonny lasses:
Waes me! for baith I canna get;
⁠To ane by law we‘re stented;
Then I‘ll draw cuts; and tak my fate,
⁠And be with ane contented.