Ae Fond Kiss

This exquisite parting song was written for and sent to Agnes McLehose, the Nancy in the poem, on her departure for Jamaica in 1791.

They never met again, although they had enjoyed a long platonic relationship, by letter in which she was 'Clarinda' and he 'Sylvander'.

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever,-

Ae fareweel, and then-for ever

Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee!

Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee !

Who shall say that fortnne grieves him,

While the star of hope she leaves him?

Me, nae chearfu’ twinkle lights me,-

Dark despair around benights me.

I’ll ne’er blame my partial fancy,

Naething could resist my Nancy;

But to see her, was to love her-

Love but her, and love for ever.

Had we never lov’d sae kindly-

Had we never lov’d sae blindly-

Never met-or never parted,

We had ne’er been broken-hearted!

Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!

Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!

Thine be ilka joy and treasure,

Peace, Enjoyment, Love, and Pleasure!

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!

Ae fareweel, alas I for ever!

Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee

Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee.

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