Colin and Lucy

Leinster, fam'd for maidens fair,Bright Lucy was the grace,Nor e'er did Liffy's limpid streamReflect so fair a face; 4

Till luckless love and pining careImpair'd her rosy hue,Her coral lips and damask cheeks,And eyes of glossy blue. 8

Oh! have you seen a lily paleWhen beating rains descend?So droop'd the slow-consuming maid,Her life now near its end. 12

By Lucy warn'd, of flattering swainsTake heed, ye easy Fair!Of vengeance due to broken vows,Ye perjur'd Swains! beware. 16

Three times all in the dead of nightA bell was heard to ring,And shrieking at her window thriceThe raven flapp'd his wing. 20

Too well the lovelorn maiden knewThat solemn boding sound,And thus in dying words bespokeThe virgins weeping round: 24

"I hear a voice you cannot hear"Which says I must not stay;"I see a hand you cannot see"Which beckons me away. 28

"By a false heart and broken vows"In early youth I die."Was I to blame because his bride"Was thrice as rich as I? 32

"Ah, Colin! give not her thy vows,"Vows due to me alone;"Nor thou, fond maid! receive his kiss,"Nor think him all thy own. 36

"To-morrow in the church to wed"Impatient both prepare;"But know, fond Maid! and know, false Man!"That Lucy will be there. 40

"Then bear my corse, ye Comrades! bear,"This bridegroom blithe to meet,"He in his wedding-trim so gay,"I in my winding-sheet." 44

She spoke; she dy'd. Her corse was borneThe bridegroom blithe to meet,He in his wedding-trim so gay,She in her winding-sheet. 48

Then what were perjur'd Colin's thoughts?How were these nuptials kept?The bridesmen flock'd round Lucy dead,And all the village wept. 52

Confusion, shame, remorse, despair,At once his bosom swell;The damps of death bedew'd his brow,He shook, he groan'd, he fell. 56

From the vain bride, ah! bride no more!The varying crimson fled,When stretch'd before her rival's corseShe saw her husband dead. 60

Then to his Lucy's newmade graveConvey'd by trembling swains,One mould with her, beneath one sod,For ever now remains. 64

Oft' at this grave the constant hindAnd plighted maid are seen;With garlands grey and truelove knotsThey deck the sacred green. 68

But, Swain forsworn! whoe'er thou art,This hallow'd spot forbear;Remember Colin's dreadful fate,And fear to meet him there. 72