"Anacrisis" begins with a reflection on the pleasure of literature:  This passage speaks of the value that Alexander placed on his literary pursuits (which mostly took place at his Menstrie estate) as an activity that was separate from but complementary to his public life as a politician and colonizer. Indeed, the phrase 'recreate myself with the Muses' re-appeared in the title of the collected edition of his works, "Recreations with the Muses" (1637). The Canadian Coast Guard has named the CCGS "Sir William Alexander" in his honour.