Elegiac Sonnets, and Other Poems, Volume 2, The Second Edition/Sonnet LXXVII

by Charlotte Smith

SONNET LXXVII.

TO THE INSECT OF THE GOSSAMER.

SMALL, viewless aeronaut, that by the line
    Of Gossamer suspended, in mid air
    Float'st on a sun beam—Living Atom, where
Ends thy breeze-guided voyage;—with what design,
    In Æther dost thou launch thy form minute,
Mocking the eye?—Alas! before the veil
    Of denser clouds shall hide thee, the pursuit
Of the keen Swift may end thy fairy sail!—
    Thus on the golden thread that Fancy weaves
Buoyant, as Hope's illusive flattery breathes,
    The young and visionary Poet leaves
Life's dull realities, while sevenfold wreaths
    Of rainbow-light around his head revolve.
    Ah! soon at Sorrow's touch the radiant dreams dissolve!