Old Glenderule, in Gallowshiels long fam'd
For works of skill, this perfect wonder fram'd;
His shining steel first lopp'd, with dexterous toil,
From a tall spreading elm the branchy spoil;
The clouded wood, he next divides in twain,
And smoothes them equal to an oval plain;
Six leather folds in still connected rows
To either plank conform 'd, the sides compose;
The wimble perforates the base with care,
A destin'd passage opening to the air:
But once inclosed within the narrow space,
The opposing valve forbids the backward race;
Fast to the swelling bag, two reeds combin'd,
Receive the blasts of the melodious wind;
Round from the twining loom, with skill divine,
Embost, the joints in silver circles shine;
In secret prison pent, the accents lie,
Untill his arm the lab'ring artist ply:
Then, duteous, they forsake their dark abode,
Felons no more, and wing a separate road;
These upward through the narrow channel glide,
In ways unseen, a solemn murmuring tide:
Those through the narrow part their journey bend,
Of sweeter sort, and to the earth descend;
O'er the small pipe at equal distance lie,
Eight shining holes, o'er which his lingers fly;
From side to side the aerial spirit bounds,
The flying fingers form the passing sounds,
That, issuing gently through each polish'd door,
Mix with the common air, and charm no more.'
"This poem, however, does not seem ever to have been corrected, and the extracts we have given are from the first rude draft of it. It would be unfair, therefore, to consider it as a test of Mr Hamilton's powers, though had he lived to complete it, we do not doubt, from the germs of excellence it evinces, but that it would have been a fitter criterion than any other of his works."
Mr Hamilton's poems, notwithstanding the melody of his numbers and the gayety of his fancy, bear all the marks of studious productions ; and the ease which they undoubtedly possess, is the ease resulting from elaboration and art To this, in a great measure, his circumstantiality of painting is to be attributed.
The measure which Mr Hamilton was most partial to, is the octo-syllabic; and certainly this being the smoothest and most euphonious, it best suited the refinement of his mind. He sometimes, however, attempted the deed-syllabic measure; but here, as in his soaring to a greater height in his subjects, he did not succeed so well. His blank verse, like his conception, is without grandeur without ease without dignity: it is surcharged, rugged, and verbose. Of this he was himself aware, for he seldom attempted to clothe his sentiments in the style which was perfected by Milton and Shakspeare.
Mr Hamilton's amatory poetry abounds with "quaint conceits," and pleasing fancies: for example, in dedicating "Contemplation" to a young lady, speaking of the effects of unsuccessful love, he says,
"Gloomy and dark the prospect round appears;
Doubts spring from doubts, and fears engender fears,
