On a Bank of Flowers - 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 Wille, wand’ring thro’ the wood,
Who for her favor oft had sued;
He gaz’d, he wish’d, he fear’d, he blush’d
And trembled where he stood. 

Her closed 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 kisses 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 stol;
He gaz’d, he wish’s, 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’s-as he should,
He overtook her in the wood;
He vow’s, he pray’d
He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.

I really like this song because of the way the man exposes the way he feels about the maiden so willingly and openly. He admires her and decides to go after what he wants. My favorite line has to be “He gaz’d, he wish’d, he fear’d, he blush’d” because it sums up his true feelings.