Here lies reposed, beneath this sculptured stone,
All that remains of princely Hamilton;
All that remains of beauty, strength, and health,
Graced by high lineage, and the gifts of wealth.
Exulting Nature, when the child was born,
Lavished her stores the favourite to adorn;
And as the beauteous boy to manhood sprung,
Knit every joint, and every sinew strung;
Gave grace to motion, to exertion ease,
A mien unrivalled, and a power to please.
She crowned him with Perception's brightest beam,
She bathed his heart in Friendship's sacred stream;
O'er his fine form her radiant mantle threw,
And with his strength her choicest talents grew:
Oh! gifts neglected—talents misemployed,
Favours contemned, and fortune unenjoyed.
At this sad shrine the moralist may find
A theme well suited to engage his mind;
And the rash youth who runs his wild career,
May tremble at the lesson taught him here;
While baffled Nature kneels desponding by,
And hails the shade of Douglas with a sigh.