rect experience. Scarcely less
notable than their sincerity is their variety. Pathos of desertion,
gay defiance of opposition, yearning in absence, confession of
coquetry, joyous confession of affection returned--these are only a
few of the phases of woman's love rendered here with a felicity that
leaves nothing to be desired. What woman has so interpreted the
feelings of her sex?

The next two express a girl's repugnance at the thought of marriage
with an old man; and the two following form a pair treating the same
theme, one from the girl's point of view, the other from the lover's.
The later verses of _My Love She's but a Lassie Yet_, however, though
full of vivacity, have so little to do with the first or with one
another that the song seems to be a collection of scraps held together
by a common melody.

WHAT CAN A YOUNG LASSIE

What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie,
What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man?
Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie [mother]
To sell her poor Jenny for siller an' lan'! [money]

He's always compleenin' frae mornin' to e'enin',
He boasts and he hirples the weary day lang: [coughs, limps]
He's doylt and he's dozin, his bluid it is frozen, [stupid, benumbed]
O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man!

He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers,
I never can please him do a' that I can;
He's peevish, and jealous of a' the young fellows:
O, dool on the day I met wi' an auld man! [woe]

My auld auntie Katie upon me takes pity,
I'll do my endeavour to follow her plan:
I'll cross him and rack him, until I heart-break him,
And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan.

TO DAUNTON ME

The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw,
The simmer lilies bloom in snaw,
The frost may freeze the deepest sea;
But an auld man shall never daunton me. [tame]

To daunton me, and me sae young,
Wi' his fause heart and flatt'ring tongue, [false]
That is the thing you ne'er shall see;
For an auld man shall never daunton me.

For a' his meal and a' his maut, [malt]
For a' his fresh beef and his saut, [salt]
For a' his gold and white monie,
An auld man shall never daunton me.

His gea