If Doughty Deeds - Classic Text | Alexandria
"If Doughty Deeds" - Robert Graham of Gartmore
"If Doughty Deeds My Lady Please" stands as one of Scotland's most enigmatic romantic verses, penned by Robert Graham of Gartmore (1735-1797), a Scottish poet, politician, and revolutionary sympathizer. The poem, which masterfully interweaves themes of chivalric love with political undertones, first appeared in print in 1808, though earlier manuscript versions suggest its composition during the tumultuous 1770s.
Graham of Gartmore composed this work during a period of significant political and social upheaval in Scotland, as the nation grappled with its relationship to England following the Jacobite risings. The poem's creation coincided with Graham's own complex political journey, serving as both a Member of Parliament and a supporter of democratic reforms. Originally circulated in private collections and literary circles, the verse gained wider recognition when Sir Walter Scott included it in his "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border" (1802-1803), albeit initially attributing it to the wrong author.
The poem's eight stanzas blend medieval chivalric traditions with Enlightenment sensibilities, expressing both martial prowess and intellectual refinement. Its opening lines, "If doughty deeds my lady please / Right soon I'll mount my steed," established a template for romantic Scottish verse that influenced generations of writers. The work's dual nature as both a love poem and a political statement reflects the complex cultural landscape of 18th-century Scotland, where personal and national identities were increasingly intertwined.
Today, "If Doughty Deeds" continues to resonate in Scottish cultural memory, frequently appearing in anthologies and academic studies. Its influence extends beyond literature into Scottish musical traditions, where it has been set to various melodies and performed as a folk song. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its seamless fusion of personal devotion with broader themes of loyalty, courage, and national identity, making it a crucial text for understanding the romantic and political sensibilities of Georgian-era Scotland. Modern scholars continue to debate the extent to which Graham's personal political views and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Mary Cathcart, influenced the poem's composition and themes.