The poetical works of Anna Seward: With extracts from her literary correspondence (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1810. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SONNET I.* When life's realities the soul perceives Vain, dull, perchance corrosive, if she glow With rising energy, and open throw The golden gates of Genius, she achieves His fairy clime delighted, and receives In those gay paths, where thornless roses blow, Full compensation.--Lo, with alter'd brow Lours the false world, and the fine spirit grieves! No more young Hope tints with her light and bloom The darkening scene.--Then to ourselves we say, Come, bright Imagination, come ! relume Thy orient lamp ; with recompensing ray Shine on the mind, and pierce its gathering gloom With all the fires of intellectual day ! * I have slightly altered this Sonnet since the Collection %»s last published.--Anna Seward. SONNET II. The future, and its gifts alone we prize, Few joys the present brings, and those alloy'd; Th' expected fulness leaves an aching void; But Hope stands by, and lifts her sunny eyes That gild the days to come.--She still relies The phantom Happiness not thus shall glide Always from life.--Alas !--yet ill betide Austere Experience, when she coldly tries In distant roses to discern the thorn! Ah! is it wise to anticipate our pain ? Arriv'd, it then is soon enough to mourn. Nor call the dear consoler false and vain, When yet again, shining through April-tears, Those fair enlight'ning eyes beam on advancing SONNET III. WRITTEN AT BUXTON IN A RAINY SEASON. From these wild heights, where oft the mists descend In rains, that shroud the sun, and chill the gale, Each transient, gleaming interval we hail, And rove the naked vallies, and extend Our gaze around, where yon vast mountains blend With billowy clouds, that o'er their summits sail; Pondering, how little Nature's charms befriend The barren scene, monotonous, and pale. Yet solemn when the darkening ...