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  • from To His Mistress
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from To His Mistress

James Graham

My dear and only Love, I pray
This noble World of thee,
Be govern’d by no other Sway
But purest Monarchie.
For if Confusion have a Part,
Which vertuous Souls abhore,
And hold a Synod in thy Heart,
I’ll never love thee more.

Like Alexander I will reign,
And I will reign alone,
My Thoughts shall evermore disdain
A Rival on my Throne.
He either fears his Fate too much,
Or his Deserts are small,
That puts it not unto the Touch,
To win or lose it all. …

But if thou wilt be constant then,
And faithful of thy Word,
I’ll make thee glorious by my Pen,
And famous by my Sword.
I’ll serve thee in such noble Ways
Was never heard before:
I’ll crown and deck thee all with Bays,
And love thee evermore.


James Graham

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17th century poems Poetry by Heart Scotland pre-1914 scottish poems
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James Graham1612 - 1650

James Graham, the first Marquis of Montrose, is perhaps better known for his military career than his poetry, though executed with one of his poems hanging round his neck.
More about James Graham

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