The Book of Scottish Song/Mary Scott

Mary Scott.

[Mary Scott, called in song "The Flower of Yarrow," was celebrated for her beauty. She was a daughter of Philip Scott of Dryhope, in Selkirkshire, and was married to Walter Scott of Harden, a noted Border freebooter in the reign of Queen Mary. The ruins of Dryhope tower (the birth-place of the Flower of Yarrow) are still to be seen near the lower extremity of St. Mary's lake. Mary Scott had a lineal descendant, Mary Lilias Scott, also distinguished for her beauty, in whose honour Crawfurd's song of "Tweedside" is said to have been composed, (see page 449). The old song called "Mary Scott the Flower of Yarrow" appears to have been lost. The following is by Ramsay, to the old border air of "Mary Scott."]

Happy's the love which meets return,
When in soft flames souls equal burn;
But words are wanting to discover
The torments of a hopeless lover.
Ye registers of heaven, relate,
If looking o'er the rolls of fate,
Did you there see me mark'd to marrow
Mary Scott the flower of Yarrow?

Ah no! her form's too heavenly fair,
Her love the gods above must share;
While mortals with despair explore her,
And at distance due adore her.
O lovely maid! my doubts beguile,
Revive and bless me with a smile,
Alas! if not, you'll soon debar a
Sighing swain the banks of Yarrow.

Be hush'd, ye fears, I'll not despair,
My Mary's tender as she's fair;
Then I'll go tell her all mine anguish,
She is too good to let me languish.
With success crown'd, I'll not envy
The folks who dwell above the sky:
When Mary Scott's become my marrow,
We'll make a paradise in Yarrow.

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