TO LESLEY

By James Whitcomb Riley

Burns sang of bonny Lesley

As she gaed o'er the border,—

Gaed like vain Alexander,

To spread her conquests farther.

I sing another Lesley,

Wee girlie, more alluring,

Who stays at home, the wise one,

Her conquests there securing.

A queen, too, is my Lesley,

And gracious, though blood-royal,

My heart her throne, her kingdom,

And I a subject loyal.

Long shall you reign, my Lesley,

My pet, my darling dearie,

For love, oh, little sweetheart,

Grows never old or weary.