KATHERINE 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 chanc'd to meet a pretty maid,
She shin'd tho' it was foggie:
I ask'd her name; Sweet Sir, she said.
My name is Kath'rine Ogie.
I stood a while, and did admire,
To see a nymph so stately;
So brisk an air there did appear
In a country maid so neatly:—
Such nat'ral sweetness she display'd.
Like a lily in a bogie,
Diana’s self was ne'er array'd
Like this same Kath'rine Ogie.
Thou flower 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,
Excels each clownish rogie;
Thou’rt match for laird, or lord, or duke,
My charming Kath'rine Ogie.
(illegible text) were I but some shepherd swain,
(illegible text) feed my flock beside thee;
(illegible text)aughting-time to leave the plain,
(illegible text)milking to abide thee:
I'd think myself a happier man,
Wi' Kate, my club, and dogie,
Than he who hugs his thousands ten,
Had I but Kath'rine Ogie.
Then I'd despise th' imperial throne.
And statesmen's dangerous stations,
I'd be no king, I'd wear no crown,
I'd smile at conquering nations,
Might I caress, and stil possess
This lass of whom I'm vogie;
For these are toys, and still look less,
Compar'd wirh Kath'rine Ogie.
I fear the gods have not decreed
For me so fine a creature,
Whose beauty rare makes her exceed
All other works of nature,
Clouds of despair surround my love.
That are both dark and foggie;
Pity my case, ye Powers above!
I die for Kath'rine 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.