POORTITH CAULD AND RESTLESS LOVE
Robert Burns wrote this in 1793 – the subject being a Miss Jean Lorimer, who the poet immortalised as his “Chloris” – the classical goddess of Spring. Burns wrote several well-known poems and songs with this particular young lady in mind.
“O poortith cauld, and restless love, Ye wrack my peace between ye;
Yet poortith a' I could forgive, An 'twere na for my Jeanie.
O why should Fate sic pleasure have, Life's dearest bands untwining?
Or why sae sweet a flower as love Depend on Fortune's shining?
The warld's wealth, when I think on, It's pride and a' the lave o't;
O fie on silly coward man, That he should be the slave o't!
Her e'en, sae bonie blue, betray How she repays my passion;
But prudence is her o'erword aye, She talks o' rank and fashion.
O wha can prudence think upon, And sic a lassie by him?
O wha can prudence think upon, And sae in love as I am?
How blest the simple cotter's fate! He woos his artless dearie;
The silly bogles, wealth and state, Can never make him eerie,
O why should Fate sic pleasure have, Life's dearest bands untwining?
Or why sae sweet a flower as love Depend on Fortune's shining?”
https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/poortith-cauld-and-restless-love