To a Lady
by William Dunbar
SWEET rois of vertew and of gentilness,
Delytsum lily of everie lustynes,
Richest in bontie and in bewtie clear,
And everie vertew that is wenit dear,
Except onlie that ye are mercyless
Into your garth this day I did persew;
There saw I flowris that fresche were of hew;
Baith quhyte and reid most lusty were to seyne,
And halesome herbis upon stalkis greene;
Yet leaf nor flowr find could I nane of rew.
I doubt that Merche, with his cauld blastis keyne,
Has slain this gentil herb, that I of mene;
Quhois piteous death dois to my heart sic paine
That I would make to plant his root againe,–
So confortand his levis unto me bene.
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The End
And that’s the End of the Poem
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William Dunbar (1459 – 1513/30) was a Scottish makar (court) poet active in the late fifteenth century and the early sixteenth century. He was closely associated with the reign of King James IV and authored a significant body of work in Scots marked by its great variation in themes and literary styles.