from To His Mistress

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, First Marquis of Montrose,  (1612 – 1650)