Classic Poem

By Hamilton of Gilbertfield

Since cruel hearted fate,
Has rob'd me of my mate,
In the sweet growing bloom of his years,
Like the turtle I will mourn,
For my dearest who is gone,
And I'll drown it in a deluge of tears.

Into some silent shade,
In sable weeds array'd,
To the desart I'll wander and go,
My sighs I'll upward send,
To the heavens they'll ascend,
In the height of my anguish and woe.

My penetrating cry,
Shall reach the very sky,
The earth with convulsions shall reel,
The adamantine stone,
Sympathising with my groan,
Who in tears their grief do reveal.

But why should I offend,
With my too mournful pen,
In the excess of woe which I find,
I will to every bit,
Of providence submit,
For a copy to ladies behind.

Since my noble lord is gone,
An' left me all alone,
In sorrow I captive have been,
I'll sing of my noble Scot,
With a sweet and cheerful note,
And I'll alter my tragical scene.

With courage bold of mind,
My darling I'll resign,
I will finish my funeral song;
'Tis the debt that we must pay,
To the powers above for ay,
I had him from them but a lend.

Since he is from me snatch'd,
Whom death has over-match'd,
And pluck't from my bosom so soon,
Methinks I heard them say,
That the Angels pav'd his way,
From the evils of life to a Crown .