Poem by James Graham, 1st Marquise of Montrose

«My Dear and Only Love I Pray…»

My dear and only Love, I pray 
	This noble world of thee 
Be govern’d by no other sway 
	But purest monarchy; 
For if confusion have a part, 
	Which virtuous souls abhor, 
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 I must rule and govern still, 
	And always give the law, 
And have each subject at my will, 
	And all to stand in awe. 
But ’gainst my battery, if I find 
	Thou shunn’st the prize so sore 
As that thou sett’st me up a blind, 
	I’ll never love thee more. 

Or in the empire of thy heart, 
	Where I should solely be, 
Another do pretend a part 
	And dares to vie with me; 
Or if committees thou erect, 
	And go on such a score, 
I’ll sing and laugh at thy neglect, 
	And never love thee more. 

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. 

1. Lines Written on the Eve of His Execution
2. Montrose on His Own Condition
3. On Himself, Upon Hearing What Was His Sentence

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