INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB OF MR. HAMILTON. PAUSE here, and think: a monitory rhime Consult life's silent clock, thy bounding vein; Seems it to say-" Health here has long to reign?" Hast thou the vigour of thy youth? an eye That beams delight? a heart untaught to sigh? Yet fear. Youth ofttimes, healthful and at ease, Anticipates a day it never sees; And many a tomb, like HAMILTON's, aloud Exclaims, "Prepare thee for an early shroud.” 10 EPITAPH ON A HARE. HERE lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Nor swifter greyhound follow, Whose foot ne'er tainted morning dew, Nor ear heard huntsman's halloo, Old Tiney, surliest of his kind, Who, nurs'd with tender care, And to domestic bounds confin'd, Though duly from my hand he took His pittance ev'ry night, He did it with a jealous look, And, when he could, would bite. 10 His diet was of wheaten bread, And milk, and oats, and straw; Thistles, or lettuces instead, With sand to scour his maw. On twigs of hawthorn he regal'd, Slic'd carrot pleas'd him well. A Turkey carpet was his lawn, To skip and gambol like a fawn, His frisking was at ev'ning hours, For then he lost his fear, But most before approaching show'rs, Or when a storm drew near. 20 Eight years and five round-rolling moons He thus saw steal away, Dozing out all his idle noons, And ev'ry night at play. I kept him for his humour's sake, For he would oft beguile My heart of thoughts, that made it ache, And force me to a smile. But now beneath his walnut shade He finds his long last home, And waits in snug concealment laid, Till gentler Puss shall come. He still more aged feels the shocks, From which no care can save, And, partner once of Tiney's box, Must soon partake his grave. 30 40 44 |