SONNET
ON THE DEATH OF MR. RICHARD WEST.
[See W. S. Landori Poemata, p. 186.]
In vain to me the smiling mornings[N 1] shine,
And redd'ning Phœbus lifts his golden fire:[N 2]
The birds in vain their amorous descant[N 3] join;
Or cheerful fields resume their green attire:
These ears, alas! for other notes repine 5
A different object do these eyes require:
My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine;
And in my breast the imperfect joys expire.[N 4]
And new-born pleasure brings to happier men:
The fields to all their wonted tribute bear:
To warm their little loves[N 5] the birds complain:
I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear,
And weep the more, because I weep in vain.[N 6]
And redd'ning Phœbus lifts his golden fire:[N 2]
The birds in vain their amorous descant[N 3] join;
Or cheerful fields resume their green attire:
These ears, alas! for other notes repine 5
A different object do these eyes require:
My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine;
And in my breast the imperfect joys expire.[N 4]
And new-born pleasure brings to happier men:
The fields to all their wonted tribute bear:
To warm their little loves[N 5] the birds complain:
I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear,
And weep the more, because I weep in vain.[N 6]
Notes
- ↑ V. 1. Milt. P. L. v. 168, "That crown'st the smiling morn". Luke.
- ↑ V. 2. Lucret. vi, 204, "Devolet in terram liquidi color aureus ignis." Luke.
- ↑ V. 3. Milt. P. L. iv. 602, "She all night long her amorous descant sung." Luke.
- ↑ V. 8. "And in my ear the imperfect accent dies." Dryden. Ovid. Rogers.
- ↑ V. 12. Spens. B. Id. cant. iii. st. 5: "On these Cupido winged armies led, of little loves." Luke.
- ↑ V. 14. A line similar to this occurs in Cibber's Alteration of Richard the Third, act ii. sc. 2: