INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB or Mr., H A MI L T O N. Pause here, and think: a monitory rhime. Consult life's silent clock, thy bounding vein ; EPITAPH ON A HARE. Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Nor swifter greyhound follow, Whose foot ne'er tainted morning dew, Nor e'er heard huntsman's hallo', Old Tiney, surlieft of his kind, Who, nursed with tender care, And to domestic bounds confined, Was still a wild Jack-hare. Though duly from my hand he took His pittance every night, He did it with a jealous look, And, when he could, would bite. His diet was of wheaten bread And milk, and oats, and straw; Thistles, or lettuces instead, With fand to scour his maw. On twigs of hawthorn he regaled, On pippins' russet peel, Sliced carrot pleased him well. A Turkey carpet was his lawn, Whereon he loved to bound, To skip and gambol like a fawn, And swing his rump around. His frisking was at evening hours, For then he loft his fear, Or when a storm drew near. Eight years and five round-rolling moons He thus faw steal away, Dozing out all his idle noons, And every night at play. I kept him for his humour' fake, heart of thoughts that made it ache, And force me to a smile. |