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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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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EPITAPH ON LORD NEWHALL.
  
  
 I. 
 II. 
  
 I. 
 IV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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EPITAPH ON LORD NEWHALL.

To fame let Flatt'ry the proud column raise,
And guilty greatness load with venal praise,
This monument for nobler use design'd
Speaks to the heart, and rises for mankind;
Whose moral strain, if rightly understood,
Invites thee to be humble, wise and good.
Learn here of life, life's ev'ry sacred end,
Hence form the father, husband, judge and friend:
Here wealth and greatness found no partial grace,
The poor look'd fearless in th' oppressor's face;

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One plain good meaning thro' his conduct ran,
And if he err'd, alas! he err'd as man.
If then unconscious of so fair a fame
Thou read'st without the wish to be the same,
Tho' proud of titles, or of boundless store,
By blood ignoble, and by wealth made poor,
Yet read; some vice perhaps thou may'st resign,
Be ev'n that momentary virtue thine,
Heav'n in thy breast here work its first essay,
Think on this man, and pass unblam'd one day.