“Standing now before thee, Colin,
Are my coz and I;
Tell me truly, now, dear Colin,
While we’re waiting by,
Which the prettier of the twain,
My sweet coz or I?
“See my locks so bright and golden,
Braided o’er my brow;
See mine eyes so blue and heavenly,
And my pretty mou’,
And my teeth of pearly whiteness,
Fairer none I vow?
“See my cousin’s locks of raven,
On her brow so white,
And her gentle features graven
With a calm delight!
Do not fear mine anger, Colin,
But decide aright.”
Colin stood awhile uncertain,
Then he made reply—
“Fair to me thy locks so golden,
Beautiful thine eye;
Pearly teeth so white and even
Ne’er before saw I!
“Locks of raven like thy cousin’s
Lovely are, I ween,
Features all so calm and holy
Seldom e’er are seen!
To decide which is the prettier,
Two such maids between,
“Is too nice a task, sweet maiden,
For such youth as I;
One is like the morning sunrise,
One the evening sky;
Both so beautiful and lovely
That they charm the eye!”
Now with hands enclasped together,
Sweetly to behold,
Light they bounded o’er the heather
Raven locks and gold:
While beside me, spell-entrancéd,
Stood young Colin bold!
Then, afar, I heard them singing
Colin’s sweet reply—
“One is like the morning sunrise,
One the evening sky,”
Till their voices in the distance
Sounded like a sigh!
Came the evening shadows o’er us,
As we lingering stood,
Clothing landscape all before us,
Mountain, vale and wood,
With a darkness like the spirit’s
Melancholy mood!
Then unto young Colin turning,
“Colin! sir,” said I,
“I will take the morning sunrise,
Thou the evening sky,
And, within our souls, forever
Wear them till we die!”
* * * * *