A Confession

"Whaur hae ye gotten that glisterin' ring,

Ower fine to be o' worth?"

"I hae gotten the ring frae a fremit chiel,

O' gentle speech an' birth."

"Wha is it gie ye that Judas kiss

Has brunt your bonny cheek?"

"I hae gotten the kiss whaur I gat the ring,

It wasna far to seek."

"How hae ye come by that fauter look

Wha's glint was aye sae proud?"

"Wi' the weight o' that fremd chiel's partin' gift

My vera soul is bowed.

"His ways were fause as his words were fair,

Siccan oath as he made me,

Sae fleechin' saft it a'most had wiled

The young leaves frae the tree.

"Wae worth his kiss that brunt my cheek,

Wae worth his ring sae bright,

An' the load he leaves me to bear my lane

Whiles he fares forth sae light!"