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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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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THE NINETEENTH ODE OF ANACREON.

Fair Niobe old times surveyed,
In Phrygian hills a marble maid.

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Changed, Pandion! to the swallows hue,
On swallow's wings thy daughter flew.
But I a looking-glass would be,
That thou mightst see thyself in me.
No; I would be a morning gown,
That so my dear might me put on.
But I a silver stream would flow,
To wash thy skin, as pure as snow.
I would myself in ointment pour,
To bathe thee with the fragrant shower.
But I would be thy tucker made,
Thy lovely swelling bosom's shade.
I would a diamond necklace deck
The comely rising of thy neck.
I would thy slender feet enclose,
To tread on me, transformed to shoes.