Lovely Mary Poem by Samuel Bamford

Would ye view a bonny lass,
That all others doth surpass,
Come with me and take a glass,
And look at lovely Mary;
Dare ye venture near a snare,
A nymph seducing, syren fair,
Eyes of jet and raven hair;
This is lovely Mary.

Rubies on her lips are seen,
Pearly white, her teeth between,
O! she is a very queen,
Soul-subduing Mary:
Music in her voice doth flow,
Bosom white as mountain snow,
Further charms I dare not know,
Lest I die for Mary.

Smileth she, it is a smile
All my woe away to wile;
Can I think of care and toil,
When before my Mary:
Angel sent from heaven high,
Venus in her majesty,
Beauty, love, and purity,
Is my charming Mary.

Flowers may wave in meadow sheen,
Birds may sing in woodlands green,
How imperfect is the scene
If without my Mary:
Life, and love, and all to me,
Genius of my destiny,
Shall I live, and not for thee?
Never, dearest Mary.