Page:The Book of Scottish Song.djvu/601

Rh 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:

But 'gainst my batt'ries 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,

Where I should solely be,

If others should pretend a part,

Or dare 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 were known before;

I'll deck and crown my head with bays,

And love thee evermore.

[ by in 1788, and set to music by his friend Allan Masterton. Ballochmyle, before it came into the hands of Mr. Alexandor, was the seat of the Whitefoord family, and the song was written as a farewell to the family residence. The Maria mentioned in the song was the eldest daughter of Sir John Whitefoord. She afterwards became Mrs. Cranston. Caleb Whitefoord, celebrated by Goldsmith in his poem of "The Retaliation," belonged to this family.]