431. A Serenade

Sir Walter Scott (1771—1832)

  AH! County Guy, the hour is nigh

  The sun has left the lea,

  The orange-flower perfumes the bower,

  The breeze is on the sea.

  The lark, his lay who trill’d all day,

  Sits hush’d his partner nigh;

  Breeze, bird, and flower confess the hour,

  But where is County Guy ?

  The village maid steals through the shade

  Her shepherd’s suit to hear;

  To Beauty shy, by lattice high,

  Sings high-born Cavalier.

  The star of Love, all stars above,

  Now reigns o’er earth and sky,

  And high and low the influence know—

  But where is County Guy ?