My Dear and Only Love
My Dear and Only Love
Original Text
[James Watson,] A Choice collection of comic and serious Scots poems, both ancient and modern. By several hands (Edinburgh: printed by James Watson and sold by J. Vallange, 1706-11). B-10 477 Fisher Rare Book Library
2 This noble world of thee
3Be govern'd by no other sway
4 But purest monarchy;
5For if confusion have a part,
6 Which virtuous souls abhor,
8 I'll never love thee more.
9Like Alexander I will reign,
10 And I will reign alone,
11My thoughts shall evermore disdain
12 A rival on my throne.
13He either fears his fate too much,
14 Or his deserts are small,
15That puts it not unto the touch
16 To win or lose it all.
17But I must rule and govern still,
18 And always give the law,
19And have each subject at my will,
20 And all to stand in awe.
21But 'gainst my battery, if I find
22 Thou shunn'st the prize so sore
23As that thou sett'st me up a blind,
24 I'll never love thee more.
25Or in the empire of thy heart,
26 Where I should solely be,
27Another do pretend a part
28 And dares to vie with me;
29Or if committees thou erect,
30 And go on such a score,
31I'll sing and laugh at thy neglect,
32 And never love thee more.
33But if thou wilt be constant then,
34 And faithful of thy word,
35I'll make thee glorious by my pen
36 And famous by my sword:
37I'll serve thee in such noble ways
38 Was never heard before;
39I'll crown and deck thee all with bays,
40 And love thee evermore.
Notes
1] Frequently found in 17th-century manuscripts with differing texts. Back to Line
7] synod: possibly an allusion to the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1643. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1711
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.336; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme