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Home  »  English Poetry II  »  312. If Doughty Deeds

English Poetry II: From Collins to Fitzgerald.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Robert Graham of Gartmore

312. If Doughty Deeds


IF doughty deeds my lady please

Right soon I’ll mount my steed;

And strong his arm, and fast his seat

That bears frae me the meed.

I’ll wear thy colours in my cap,

Thy picture in my heart;

And he that bends not to thine eye

Shall rue it to his smart!

Then tell me how to woo thee, Love;

O tell me how to woo thee!

For thy dear sake, nae care I’ll take

Tho’ ne’er another trow me.

If gay attire delight thine eye

I’ll dight me in array;

I’ll tend thy chamber door all night,

And squire thee all the day.

If sweetest sounds can win thine ear,

These sounds I’ll strive to catch;

Thy voice I’ll steal to woo thysell,

That voice that nane can match.

But if fond love thy heart can gain,

I never broke a vow;

Nae maiden lays her skaith to me,

I never loved but you.

For you alone I ride the ring,

For you I wear the blue;

For you alone I strive to sing,

O tell me how to woo!

Then tell me how to woo thee, Love;

O tell me how to woo thee!

For thy dear sake, nae care I’ll take,

Tho’ ne’er another trow me.