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The Book of Scottish Song/The Tweed

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The Tweed.

[W. Alexander.]

"If thou would'st view fair Melrose aright,
Go visit it by the pale moon light."—Scott.

Oh, ha'e ye seen the Tweed while the moon shone bright,
And the stars gemmed the sky wi' their siller light?
If ye ha'ena seen it, then
Half its sweets ye canna ken
Oh, gae back and look again
On a shining night!

Oh, ha'e ye seen the Tweed when the cloister and isle
In the long shadows slept of the mouldering pile?
Oh the fondest canna deem
What that silent scene doth seem
Till beneath pale Cynthia's beam
He hath gazed awhile!

Oh, ha'e ye seen the Tweed when the moon's in the cloud—
When the dark waves are rolling baith fierce and loud?
Oh, beware ilk wizard den,
For in sooth ye mayna ken,
What spirits roam the glen
'Neath their dusky shroud!

Oh, ha'e ye seen the Tweed when the moon's gane down—
When the sun caps ilk hill wi' a gowden crown?
Oh, ye'd pause in fix'd delight,
As bursts upon the sight
'Neath the Eildons, spreading bright,
The landscape roun'!

But ha'e ye seen the maidens who trip the green,
Wi' their tempting lips and their sparkling e'en?
Let the Tweed be e'er so fair,
Still there's something dearer there,
What were a' the riggs o' Yair
To my winsome quean!

Oh, ha'e ye seen the Tweed while the moon shone bright,
And the stars gemm'd the sky wi' their siller light?
If ye ha'ena seen it, then
Half it's sweets ye canna ken,
Oh, gae back and look again
On a shining night!