[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]
MY and only love, I pray,
That little world of thee,
Be govern’d by no other sway,
But purest monarchy:
For if confusion have a part,
Which virtuous souls abhor,
I’ll call a synod in my heart,
And never love thee more.
–
As Alexander I will reign,
And I will reign alone,
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,
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 aw:
But ‘gainst my batteries if I find
Thou storm, or vex me fore,
As if thou set me as a blind,
I’ll never love thee more.
–
And in the empire of thy heart,
Where I should solely be,
If others do pretend a part,
Or dares to share with me:
Or committees if thou erect,
Or go on such a score,
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,
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.