The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour collated with the ms. volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author. By James Paterson |
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DOVES. |
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 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
112
DOVES.
—A FRAGMENT.
Of Doves, sweet gentle birds, the heaven-born musePrepares to sing, their manners and what law,
The blameless race obey, their cares and loves.
O sacred virgin, that, to me unseen
Yet present, whispers nightly in my ear
Love-dited song or tale of martial knight,
As best becomes the time, and aidful grants
Celestial grace implor'd, O, bounteous, say
What fav'rite maid in her first bloom of youth
Wilt choose to honour? Seem I not to see
The laurel shake, and hear the voice divine
Sound in mine ear: ‘With Erskine best agrees
‘The song of doves: herself a dove, well pleas'd
‘Will listen to the tale benign, and hear
‘How the chaste bird with word's of fondling love,
‘Soft billing, woo's his mate, their spousal joys,
‘Pure and unstained with jealous fear of change;
‘How studious they to build their little nests,
‘Nature's artificers! and tender, breed
‘Their unfledg'd children, till they wing their flight,
‘Each parent's care.’ Come, as the muse ordains,
O thou of every grace, whose looks of love,
Erskine, attractive, draw all wond'ring eyes
Constant to gaze; and whose subduing speech
Drops as the honeycomb, and grace is pour'd
Into thy lips: forever thee attends
Sweetness thy handmaid, and, with beauty, clothes
As with the morning's robe invested round:
O come, again invok'd, and smiling lend
Thy pleas'd attention, whilst in figured silk
Thy knowing needle plants th' embroider'd flower
As in its native bed: so may'st thou find
Delight perpetual and th' inclining ear
Of heaven propitious to thy maiden vow,
When thou shalt seek from love a youth adorn'd
With all perfection, worthy of thy choice,
To bless thy night of joy and social care.
O happy he, for whom the vow is made. [OMITTED]
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |