SONNET XXXI. TO SOPHIA. September 26, 1806. MAY'ST thou be happy, my beloved friend! A glow of triumph with its pangs should blend, But ye, poor babes, must struggle, perhaps must fall, And thou, best friend, with me mayst bid farewell To many a flattering hope! but this is all In darkness hid; and 'tis not fit to dwell In such a world, on griefs fantastical, Fitliest unknown! -God grant that all end well! SONNET XXXII. TO MISS W-. On her proposing a Visit to the Family of the Author. 15th Oct. 1806. DID Fortune smile propitious on our lot, Then why should we with selfish aim invite SONNET XXXIII. FROM PETRARCH. 11th Nov. 1806. SAY, what officious angel bore my grief, She comes to calm my sad and troubled breast, With sweet intelligencing looks and speech; Looks, words, more dear from secret conscious ness, That we alone their mystic sense can reach. For, pitying, thou dost condescend to teach That thou refusedst, but the more to bless. SONNET XXXIV. 18th Jan. 1807. WHEN friendship turns her long averted face, And sweetly smiles on me again; 'tis hard To wear the look of coldness, nor embrace The dear and proffer'd blessing of regard. Oh Thou, at whose behest man runs the race Of life, howe'er severe; who bidst him guard His eyes, his senses, and his heart, nor chase In this bleak clime a premature reward; Forgive me, if my thoughts, at times, rebel; If feeling strongly, I should sometimes pine To make the 'flattering dreams of pleasure mine And grasp those joys my fancy feigns too well. The ascendant will bends to thy great design Tho' trait'rous wishes throb, and tears of nature swell. P SONNET XXXV. FROM PETRARCH. 31st Jan. 1807. OH chamber, which, till late, retreat supplied, Of solitude I am not weary grown: And vulgar souls, from whom I long have flown, (Oh, humbling change!) a refuge now bestow, So much I dread to find myself alone. |