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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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THE WISH. |
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 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
113
THE WISH.
If join'd to make up virtue's glorious tale,A weak, but pious aid can aught avail,
Each sacred study, each diviner page
That once inspired my youth, shall soothe my age.
Deaf to ambition, and to interest's call;
Honour my titles, and enough my all;
No pimp of pleasure, and no slave of state,
Serene from fools, and guiltless of the great,
Some calm and undisurb'd retreat I'll choose
Dear to myself and friends. Perhaps the muse
May grant, while all my thoughts her charms employ,
If not a future fame, a present joy,
Pure from each feverish hope, each weak desire;
Thoughts that improve, and slumbers that inspire,
A steadfast peace of mind, rais'd far above
The guilt of hate and weaknesses of love,
Studious of life, yet free from anxious care,
To others candid, to myself severe,
Filial, submissive to the sovereign will,
Glad of the good, and patient of the ill.
I'll work in narrow sphere, what heaven approves,
Abating hatreds, and increasing loves;
My friendship, studies, pleasures, all my own,
Alike to envy and to fame unknown:
Such in some blest asylum let me lie,
Take off my fill of life, and wait, not wish to die.
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |