When Flora Had O'erfret the Firth

Quhen Flora had o'erfret the firth

In May of every moneth queen;

Quhen merle and mavis singis with mirth

Sweet melling in the shawis sheen;

Quhen all luvaris rejoicit bene

And most desirous of their prey,

I heard a lusty luvar mene

—"I luve, but I dare nocht assay!"

"Strong are the pains I daily prove,

But yet with patience I sustene,

I am so fetterit with the luve

Only of my lady sheen,

Quhilk for her beauty micht be queen,

Nature so craftily alway

Has done depaint that sweet serene:

—Quhom I luve I dare nocht assay.

"She is so bricht of hyd and hue,

I luve but her alone, I ween;

Is none her luve that may eschew,

That blinkis of that dulce amene;

So comely cleir are her twa een

That she mae luvaris dois affray

Than ever of Greece did fair Helene:

—Quhom I luve I dare nocht assay!"