Poems of James Graham: Marquis of Montrose ... With introduction and notes by J. L. Weir ... and a preface by the Rt. Hon. Lord Tweedsmuir |
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| X. | X IN PRAISE OF WOMEN |
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 | Poems of James Graham: Marquis of Montrose |  |
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X
IN PRAISE OF WOMEN
When Heav'ns great Jove had made the World's round Frame,
Earth, Water, Air, and Fire; above the same,
The rolling Orbs, the Planets, Spheres, and all
The lesser Creatures, in the Earth's vast Ball:
But, as a curious Alchimist, still draws
From grosser Mettals finer, and from those
Extracts another, and from that again
Another that doth far excel the same.
So fram'd he Man of Elements combin'd
T'excel that Substance where he was refin'd:
But that poor Creature, drawn from his Breast
Excelleth him, as he excell'd the rest:
Or as a stubborn Stalk, whereon there grows
A dainty Lilly or a fragrant Rose;
The Stalk may boast, and set its Vertues forth,
But take away the Flow'r, where is its Worth?
But yet, fair Ladies, you must know
Howbeit I do adore you so:
Reciprocal your Flames must prove,
Or my Ambition scorns to love:
A Noble Soul doth still abhore
To strike, but where its Conquerour.
| Poems of James Graham: Marquis of Montrose | |