XCVI I’ll Never Love Thee More
My dear and only Love, I pray
That little world of thee
Be governed by no other sway
But purest monarchy:
For if confusion have a part, 5
Which virtuous souls abhor,
And hold a Synod in thy heart,
I’ll never love thee more.
As Alexander I will reign,
And I will reign alone; 10
My thoughts did evermore disdain
A rival on my throne.
He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who dares not put it to the touch, 15
To gain or lose it all.
But I will reign and govern still,
And always give the law,
And have each subject at my will,
And all to stand in awe: 20
But ’gainst my batteries if I find
Thou storm, or vex me sore,
As if thou set me as a blind,
I’ll never love thee more.
And in the empire of thy heart, 25
Where I should solely be,
If others do pretend a part,
Or dare to share with me:
Or committees if thou erect,
Or go on such a score, 30
I’ll smiling mock at thy neglect,
And never love thee more.
But if no faithless action stain
Thy love and constant word,
I’ll make thee famous by my pen, 35
And glorious by my sword.
I’ll serve thee in such noble ways
As ne’er was known before;
I’ll deck and crown thy head with bays,
And love thee more and more. 40
Marquis of Montrose.