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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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. |
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 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
EPITAPH.
Could this fair marble to the world impartHalf of the woes that rend a husband's heart,
Could it be taught to look with nature's eye,
Like friendship could it breathe the tender sigh,
With each dear rapture bid the bosom glow,
Love e'er could taste, or tenderness bestow,
Then might it tow'r unblam'd amid the skies,
And not to vanity, but virtue rise;
In noblest pomp the humble eye endure,
And pride, when most it swell'd, here find a cure.
Cease then—nor at the sovereign will repine,
It gives, we bless; it snatches, we resign:
To earth what came from earth returns again,
Heav'n fram'd the immortal part above to reign.
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |