Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

SONNET XVII.

TO THE SAME.

8th June, 1800.

AND further tell me, when the garish light
Fades from the crystal canopy of heaven,
Maiden, shall we religiously delight

To linger through the slowly fading even; Shall Hope and Fancy, long by Sorrow driven, To seek some solace by a timely flight,

Own that meek patience hath not vainly striven To leave that busier world, where lawless might, And venom'd malice, fix the inward wound? Oh God, shall peace and thankfulness abound The more for sorrows past, and ills sustain'd? And as our souls drink in harmoniously Sounds felt like silence, all resentments die

In grateful love, for joys and friends retain❜d.

SONNET XVIII.

Inserted in a Novel written by the Author, printed, but not published, called " Isabel.”

26th March, 1803.

FAIN Would I say, withdraw, thou glorious beam, And shroud thyself in darkness! fain desire Those rocks, those meads, that wood, yon laughing stream,

All nature's glowing graces to retire;

For more than earthly to my heart they seem;-
So that my struggling sentiments aspire,
To frame the witchery of the lover's dream;
And mental bliss in unison require.

Yes, when I see that pomp of Nature, wrought
To such excess of loveliness, I seek,

Though sought in vain, a soul whose mutual thought

May catch the gush of love which cannot

speak;

Rescuing the sigh that may not be subdued
From agonies that dwell with Solitude.

SONNET XIX.

26th March, 1803.

THOU Cottage gleaming near the tuft of trees, Thou tell'st of joy more than I dare believe Falls to the lot of man; where Fancy sees, (For credulous Fancy still her dreams will weave)

Him whose low fate no restless cares deceive, Blest by your smiles, pure as the mountain breeze;

Love, Peace, Humility, whose ministries
Give all that happiest mortals can receive.
Yon sun-tipt grove's embosom'd harmony,
As fades the splendour of departing day,
Swells on my ear most like the minstrelsy
Which from thy inmate's pipe shall bear away
The soul of him who listens, till he hear

Sounds that awaken love's forgotten tear.

[ocr errors]

SONNET XX.

30th March, 1803.

Is not all nature smiling? Why should I
Pine with the agonies of wretchedness,
This active life excites, that vanity,

And him the fervours of affection bless :
Ambition beckoning waves her banners high,
Streaming with rays of glory and success,
And on the wing of Folly thousands fly
To grasp the toy of hourly happiness.
Dejection presses me with power-like fate
In fellowship with woe, and inward care;
The beauteous forms of nature wrought so fair,
Sink on my spirits with a weary weight;
Nor active life less threatens with despair,
There flourish insincerity and hate.

[ocr errors]

SONNET XXI.

30th March, 1805.

YE buds obedient to the breath of spring,
Why with no wonted smile are ye caress'd?
Thou soul of Love that, borne on zephyr's wing,
Dost steal unseen within the soften'd breast,
Who, blessing and tormenting, know'st to bring
Soft sighs, inquietudes, and many a guest
That hint of dangerous joy, why dost thou wring,
Not sooth my spirit to delicious rest?
'Tis that I seek what human heart ne'er found,
A world where Love, Truth, Peace, their laws
maintain;

"Tis that I ask on this polluted ground,

For wells of living water! Spring-tide train, Urging a hopeless wish, 'tis thus ye wound, To seek the more for what I seek in vain.*

[blocks in formation]

the more because I weep in vain.-GRAY.

« AnteriorContinuar »