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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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EPITAPH. |
 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
EPITAPH.
Does great and splendid villany allure?Go search in W---'s trial for a cure.
Blest with enough, wouldst thou increase it still?
Examine Ch---'s life, and R---d's will.
Wouldst thou be happy? then these rules receive,
Read this verse gratis, and thy soul shall live.
Learn from this man, who now lies five feet deep,
To drink when doubting, and when tempted sleep.
This led him safe through life's tempestuous steerage,
Poor by no place, ignoble by no peerage;
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An humble virtue, by no kings excised;
Stated no law case, and no critic quoted;
Spoke what he thought; and never swore, nor voted.
Courts he abhorred, their errors, their abuses,
St James', Versailles—all, all, but Sancta Crucis;
There, where no statesmen buys, no bishop sells—
A virtuous palace, where no monarch dwells.
With kind Bargany, faithful to his word,
Whom heaven made good and social, though a lord;
The cities viewed of many-languaged men,
Popes, pimps, kings, gamesters; and saw all was vain.
Enjoyed, what Hopetoun's groves could never yield,
The philosophic rapture of the field!
Nor asked, nor feared. His life, and humble lays,
No critics envy, and no flatterers praise.
Sure those who know how hard to write, and live,
Would judge with candour, pity and forgive.
Known but to few, as if he ne'er had been,
He stole through life unheeded, and unseen.
He often erred, but broke no social duty;
Unbribed by statesmen, and unhurt by beauty.
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |