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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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 |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| I. |
| II. |
| I. |
| IV. |
ON SEEING THE LADY MARY MONTGOMERY SIT TO HER PICTURE. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
73
ON SEEING THE LADY MARY MONTGOMERY SIT TO HER PICTURE.
When Lindsay drew Montgomery, heavenly maid,
And gaz'd with wonder on that angel face,
Pleas'd I sat by and joyfully survey'd
The daring pencil image every grace.
And gaz'd with wonder on that angel face,
Pleas'd I sat by and joyfully survey'd
The daring pencil image every grace.
When as the youth, each feature o'er and o'er
Careful retouch'd with strict observant view,
Eftsoons I saw how charms unseen before
Swell'd to the sight, and with the picture grew.
Careful retouch'd with strict observant view,
Eftsoons I saw how charms unseen before
Swell'd to the sight, and with the picture grew.
With milder glances now he arms her eyes,
The red now triumphs to a brighter rose;
Now heaves her bosom to a softer rise,
And fairer on her cheek the lily blows.
The red now triumphs to a brighter rose;
Now heaves her bosom to a softer rise,
And fairer on her cheek the lily blows.
Last glow'd the blush, that, pure of female wile,
I whilom knew, when so my stars decreed;
My pipe she deign'd to laud in pleasing smile,
All undeserving I such worthy meed.
I whilom knew, when so my stars decreed;
My pipe she deign'd to laud in pleasing smile,
All undeserving I such worthy meed.
74
The whiles I gaz'd, ah! felice art thought I;
Ah! felice youth that doen it possess;
Couth to depaint the fair so verily,
True to each charm, and faithful to each grace.
Ah! felice youth that doen it possess;
Couth to depaint the fair so verily,
True to each charm, and faithful to each grace.
Sythence she cannot emulate your skill,
Ne envy will the Muse her sister's praise;
Then for the deed O let her place the will,
And to the glowing colours join her lays.
Ne envy will the Muse her sister's praise;
Then for the deed O let her place the will,
And to the glowing colours join her lays.
Yet algates would the Nine, that high on hill
Parnasse, sweet imps of Jove, with Jove reside,
Give me to rein the fiery steed at will,
And with kind hand thy lucky pencil guide.
Parnasse, sweet imps of Jove, with Jove reside,
Give me to rein the fiery steed at will,
And with kind hand thy lucky pencil guide.
Then, certes, mought we fate misprise, of praise
Secure, if the dear maid in beauty's bloom
Surviv'd, or in thy colours or my lays,
Joy of this age and joy of each to come.
Secure, if the dear maid in beauty's bloom
Surviv'd, or in thy colours or my lays,
Joy of this age and joy of each to come.
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |