Alexander Balfour

Alexander Balfour Poems

Alexander Balfour Biography

Alexander Balfour (2 September 1824 - 16 April 1886) was a Scottish merchant and founder of the Liverpool shipping company Balfour Williamson. Balfour was born in Leven, Fife, the son of Henry Balfour, a foundry owner. He was educated at St Andrew's University, and in 1844 moved to Liverpool, where in 1851 he founded Balfour Williamson with Stephen Williamson and David Duncan. He was a committed philanthropist, and founded the Duke Street Home, to provide better conditions for sailors, and orphanages for seamen's children. He bought a country estate at Mount Alyn, at Rossett, south of Chester. He died there in 1886. There is a monument to him in St John's Gardens, Liverpool.)

The Best Poem Of Alexander Balfour

Slighted Love

The rosebud blushing to the morn,
The sna'-white flower that scents the thorn,
When on thy gentle bosom worn,
Were ne'er sae fair as thee, Mary!
How blest was I, a little while,
To deem that bosom free frae guile;
When, fondly sighing, thou wouldst smile;
Yes, sweetly smile on me, Mary!

Though gear was scant, an' friends were few,
My heart was leal, my love was true;
I blest your e'en of heavenly blue,
That glanced sae saft on me, Mary!
But wealth has won your heart frae me;
Yet I maun ever think of thee;
May a' the bliss that gowd can gie,
For ever wait on thee, Mary!

For me, nae mair on earth I crave,
But that yon drooping willow wave
Its branches o'er my early grave,
Forgot by love, an' thee, Mary!
An' when that hallow'd spot you tread,
Where wild-flowers bloom above my head,
O look not on my grassy bed,
Lest thou shouldst sigh for me, Mary!

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