The Book of Scottish Song/Mark yonder pomp
Mark yonder pomp.
[This was another song which Burns wrote to the tune of "Deil tak' the wars," and sent to Thomson's collection. Jean Lorimer, the "lassie wi' the lint-white locks," was the subject of the song.]
Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion
Round the wealthy, titled bride:
But when compared with real passion,
Poor is all that princely pride.
What are the showy treasures?
What are the noisy pleasures?
The gay gaudy glare of vanity and art:
The polish'd jewel's blaze
May draw the wond'ring gaze,
And courtly grandeur bright
The fancy may delight,
But never, never can come near the heart.
But did yen see my dearest Chloris
In simplicity's array;
Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower is,
Shrinking from the gaze of day?
O then, the heart alarming,
And all resistless charming,
In love's delightful fetters she chains the willing soul!
Ambition would disown
The world's imperial crown,
Even Avarice would deny
His worshipped deity,
And feel through ev'ry vein Love's raptures roll.