When first I saw young Molly
Stretched beneath the holly
Fast asleep, forenint her sheep, one dreamy summer’s day,
With daisies laughing round her
Hand and foot I bound her,
Then kissed her on her blooming cheek, and softly sole away.

But as with blushes burning
Tip-toe I was turning,
From sleep she starts, and on me darts a dreadful lightning ray;
My foolish flowery fetters
Scornfully she scatters,
And like a winter sunbeam she coldly sweeps away.

But Love, young Love, comes stooping
O’er my daisies drooping,
And oh! each flower with fairy power the rosy boy renews;
Then twines each charming cluster
In links of starry luster,
And with the chain enchanting my colleen proud pursues.

And soon I met with Molly
Musing Melancholy
With downcast eyes and staring sighs, along the meadow bank;
And oh! her swelling bosom
Was wreathed with daisy blossom,
Like stars in summer heaven, as in my arms she sank.