CATHARINE OGIE
As walking forth to view the plain,
Upon a morning early,
While May’s sweet scent did cheer my brain,
From flowers which grew so rarely:
I chanced to meet a pretty maid,
she shined tho' it was foggie;
I asked her name. Sweet Sir, she said,
My name is Catharine Ogie.
I stood awhile, and did admire
To see a nymph so stately;
So brisk an air there did appear
In a country maid so neatly.
Such natural sweetness she display’d,
Like lilies in a bogie,
Diana’s self was ne'er array’d,
Like this same Catharine Ogie.
Thou flow'r of females, beauty’s queen,
Who sees thee sure must prize thee;
Tho’ thou art drest in robes but mean,
Yet these cannot disguise thee;
Thy handsome air and graceful look
Excel each clownish rogie,
Thou’rt match for laird, or lord, or duke,
My charming Catharine Ogie.
O were I but some shepherd swain,
To feed my flocks beside thee.
At bughting time to leave the plain,
In milking to abide thee:
I'd think myself a happier man,
Wi’ Kate, my club, and dogie,
Than he that hugs his thousand ten,
Had I but Catharine Ogie.
Then I’d despise th’ imperial throne,
And statesmen’s dangerour stations ;
I’d be no king, I’d wear no crown,
I’d smile at conquering nations,
Might I caress and still possess
This lass of whom I’m vogie,
For they are toys, and still look less,
Compared with Catharine Ogie.
I fear the gods have not decreed
For me so fair a creature,
Whose beauty rare make her exceed,
All other works in nature;
Clouds of despair surround my love,
That are both dark and foggy ;
Pity my case, ye Pow’rs above!
Else I die for Catharine Ogie.
This work was published before January 1, 1927, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.