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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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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BEGINNING OF THE FIRST GEORGICK OF VIRGIL.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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66

BEGINNING OF THE FIRST GEORGICK OF VIRGIL.

What crowns rejoicing fields with golden grain,
Under what star to turn the furrow'd plain;
The time, Mecornas, suitable to join
To the supporting elm the clustering vine;
The care and culture of the woolly breed;
The lowing heifer and the bounding steed;
How nature to the frugal bee imparts
Experienc'd wisdom and ambrosial arts,
I sing; ye radiant Pow'rs that rule the sphere,
And lead around the slow revolving year,
Bacchus and Ceres boon, your gifts I sing,
The rip'ned autumn and the red'ning spring.
You first taught fields with golden gifts to glow,
And gave the ruddy vintage first to flow;
Then oaks no more did human wants supply,
And the cool stream receiv'd a purple die.