264. Song—On a Bank of Flowers

Read '264. Song—On a Bank of Flowers' by 'Robert Burns' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

264. Song—On a Bank of Flowers by Robert Burns

 ON a bank of flowers, in a summer day,
 For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
 With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wand’ring thro’ the wood,
Who for her favour oft had sued;
 He gaz’d, he wish’d
 He fear’d, he blush’d,
And trembled where he stood.


Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheath’d,
 Were seal’d in soft repose;
Her lip, still as she fragrant breath’d,
 It richer dyed the rose;
The springing lilies, sweetly prest,
Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast;
 He gaz’d, he wish’d,
 He mear’d, he blush’d,
His bosom ill at rest.


Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,
 Her tender limbs embrace;
Her lovely form, her native ease,
 All harmony and grace;
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole;
 He gaz’d, he wish’d,
 He fear’d, he blush’d,
And sigh’d his very soul.


As flies the partridge from the brake,
 On fear-inspired wings,
So Nelly, starting, half-awake,
 Away affrighted springs;
But Willie follow’d-as he should,
He overtook her in the wood;
 He vow’d, he pray’d,
 He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.

Form: Lyric

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