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 volume of his poems, and containing several pieces hitherto unpublished; with illustrative notes, and an account of the life of the author.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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TO A DOVE. |
 | The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour |  |
TO A DOVE.
Say, beauteous dove, where dost thou fly?
To what new quarter of the sky
Dost thou with silken plumes repair,
To scent with sweets the ambient air?
Stay, gentle bird, nor thou refuse
To bear along a lover's vows.
To what new quarter of the sky
Dost thou with silken plumes repair,
To scent with sweets the ambient air?
Stay, gentle bird, nor thou refuse
To bear along a lover's vows.
O tell the maid, of me beloved,
O tell how constant I have proved;
How she to me all nymphs excelled,
The first my eyes with joy beheld;
And, since she treats me with disdain,
The first my eyes beheld with pain.
Yet, whether to my wishes kind,
She hear my prayer with gracious mind,
Or, unrelenting of her will,
Her hot displeasure kindle still,
I, in her beauty's chains bound fast,
Shall view her with indifference last.
Fly swift, my dove, and swift return,
With answer back to those that mourn;
O, in thy bill bring soft and calm
A branch of silver-flowering palm!
But why should I thy flight delay?
Go fleet, my herald, speed away!
O tell how constant I have proved;
How she to me all nymphs excelled,
The first my eyes with joy beheld;
And, since she treats me with disdain,
The first my eyes beheld with pain.
Yet, whether to my wishes kind,
She hear my prayer with gracious mind,
Or, unrelenting of her will,
Her hot displeasure kindle still,
I, in her beauty's chains bound fast,
Shall view her with indifference last.
Fly swift, my dove, and swift return,
With answer back to those that mourn;
O, in thy bill bring soft and calm
A branch of silver-flowering palm!
But why should I thy flight delay?
Go fleet, my herald, speed away!
| The poems and songs of William Hamilton of Bangour | |