A Portrait of Robert Burns Robert Burns

1795 · Poem

Mark Yonder Pomp of Costly Fashion

Air—“Deil tak the wars.”


Mark yonder pomp of costly fashionRound the wealthy, titled bride:But when compar’d with real passion,Poor is all that princely pride.Mark yonder, &c. (four lines repeated).5
What are the showy treasures,What are the noisy pleasures?The gay, gaudy glare of vanity and art:The polish’d jewels’ blazeMay draw the wond’ring gaze;And courtly grandeur brightThe fancy may delight,But never, never can come near the heart.13

Chorus

But did you see my dearest Chloris,In simplicity’s array;Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower is,Shrinking from the gaze of day,17
O then, the heart alarming,And all resistless charming,In Love’s delightful fetters she chains the willing soul!Ambition would disownThe world’s imperial crown,Ev’n Avarice would deny,His worshipp’d deity,And feel thro’ every vein Love’s raptures roll.25
Year
1795
Form
Poem
Location
Dumfries
Source
Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns