Robert Aytoun's career marks the progress of a poet of Scotland and England at the union of the crowns in 1603, when King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England. Aytoun's verses record his own political advancement, contemporary politics and scandal, as well as the changing styles of court poetry and song. His early works are in literary Scots and influenced by the Castalian movement and by King James, while the later works, especially his amorous verse, are adapted to the English courtly fashion. These poems show the influence of English courtly music, which they themselves influenced. Frequently quoted in commonplace books, many of his poems and songs enjoyed a popularity in both Scotland and England and reveal Aytoun to be part of the literary traditions of both North and South. Though obscure today, Aytoun was a noteworthy courtier, poet, and patron during the English Renaissance...