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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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PART OF THE ELEVENTH EPISTLE OF THE FIRST BOOK OF HORACE IMITATED. |
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 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
PART OF THE ELEVENTH EPISTLE OF THE FIRST BOOK OF HORACE IMITATED.
When through the world fate led the destin'd way,
Tell me, my Mitchell, in the broad survey,
What country pleas'd thy roving fancy most?
Say, wast thou smit with Baia's sunny coast?
Or wisht thou rather weary to repose
In some cool vale where peaceful Arno flows?
Or in Ombrosa dream the lonely hour,
Where high arch'd hills the Etrurian shades embow'r;
Where plenty pours her golden gifts in vain,
That dubious swell for Carlos or Lorrain?
Or charm'd thee more the happy viny plains,
And lofty tow'rs, where mighty Louis reigns?
Say, is it true what travellers report
Of glories shining in the Gallic court?
Or, do they all, tho' e'er so pompous, yield
To the thatch'd cottage in my native field?
Tell me, my Mitchell, in the broad survey,
What country pleas'd thy roving fancy most?
Say, wast thou smit with Baia's sunny coast?
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In some cool vale where peaceful Arno flows?
Or in Ombrosa dream the lonely hour,
Where high arch'd hills the Etrurian shades embow'r;
Where plenty pours her golden gifts in vain,
That dubious swell for Carlos or Lorrain?
Or charm'd thee more the happy viny plains,
And lofty tow'rs, where mighty Louis reigns?
Say, is it true what travellers report
Of glories shining in the Gallic court?
Or, do they all, tho' e'er so pompous, yield
To the thatch'd cottage in my native field?
But hark, methinks I hear thee anxious say
That thou at Palestine would'st choose to stay.
Yes, Palestine; I know the place full well,
Where holy dotards riot in each cell,
The hapless peasant pines with want and sorrow,
And all unpeopled as a royal burrow:
Yet there forever would thy friend remain,
Rather than change once more the frantic scene,
And distant hear the rollings of the main;
Unenvied, calm, enjoy a peaceful lot,
My friends rememb'ring, nor by them forgot.
That thou at Palestine would'st choose to stay.
Yes, Palestine; I know the place full well,
Where holy dotards riot in each cell,
The hapless peasant pines with want and sorrow,
And all unpeopled as a royal burrow:
Yet there forever would thy friend remain,
Rather than change once more the frantic scene,
And distant hear the rollings of the main;
Unenvied, calm, enjoy a peaceful lot,
My friends rememb'ring, nor by them forgot.
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |