Gowodean, a Pastoral

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. ...as that! Then 1 maun own in truth The form you paint is no the winsome youth Who's been to soul and mind for fifteen years, The pictured form o' a' my hopes and fears. So changed! and yet am I less changed than he? How little now to please he'd find in me. Col. That he himself, sure information says, Will to yourself relate ere many days. Alice. Honoured friend; O, sir! Col. Nay, calm you, maiden dear, And let the welcome truth your bosom cheer, That his, your lover's, feet this moment stand, Nor yet far off, on dear auld Scotland's strand. Alice. Not far; O where? O bring him; take me there. I fear no distance, risk or toil. I dare Do aught but be where he is not. Come, come! Col. O, calm thee, calm thee, he is all but home. Thou need'st no journey. At thine own fireside, Ere twilight falls, he'll claim thee for his bride; But you may meet him, as I said before, And know him not. Alice. Though he were changed thrice o'er, And every long prized form and feature gone, He bears a mark--a mark, aye more than one, Shielding the helpless; surely nobler scar Than ev'n he might meet in vaunted war, One mark inflicted by revengefu' brand Just here. C'ol. as she takes his hand to show the plate he gently evades her intention and opens his arms Alice; Alice. Willie, Wi--faints in his arms. Col. Love, my love. Alice. A dream! O wake me not, sweet powers above. Col. No dream, my love; my Alice, wake thee, wake. Alice. O'er years sae dark can sic a morning break? No dream! my Willie living and for me? Your rank, your love, can sic a blessing be Brought to a roof so humble? Col. And to thee. Yea, Alice, what this day would fame avail, Without thy living ear to list the tale? Or rank or wealth, their value only known In that I've thee to take them as...