SONNET TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ. 1793. DEAR architect of fine CHATEAUX in air, O for permission from the skies to share, But I am bankrupt now; and doom'd henceforth That he has furnish'd lights for other eyes, SONNET TO DR. AUSTIN. 1792. AUSTIN! accept a grateful verse from me, And oh! could I command the glittering wealth Were in the power of verse like mine to give, Friend of my friend!* I love thee, though unknown, And boldly call thee, being his, my own. SONNET TO GEORGE ROMNEY, ESQ. On his Picture of me in Crayons, drawn at Eartham, in the 61st Year of my Age, in the Months of August and September. 1792. ROMNEY, expert infallibly to trace On chart or canvas, not the form alone With strokes that time ought never to erase * Hayley. But this I mark-that symptoms none of woe Well-I am satisfied it should be so, Since, on maturer thought, the cause is clear; For in my looks what sorrow couldst thou see SONNET TO MRS. UNWIN. 1793. MARY! I want a lyre with other strings, [drew, Such aid from Heaven as some have feign'd they But thou hast little need. There is a book There all thy deeds, my faithful Mary, shine, TO MARY. AUTUMN OF 1793. THE twentieth year is well nigh past, Ah would that this might be the last! Thy spirits have a fainter flow, My Mary! I see thee daily weaker grow— My Mary! Thy needles, once a shining store, My Mary! For though thou gladly wouldst fulfil My Mary! But well thou play'dst the housewife's part, And all thy threads with magic art Have wound themselves about this heart, Thy indistinct expressions seem My Mary! Like language utter'd in a dream; My Mary! Thy silver locks, once auburn bright, My Mary! For could I view nor them nor thee, My Mary! Partakers of thy sad decline, Thy hands their little force resign; Yet gently press'd, press gently mine, My Mary! Such feebleness of limbs thou provest, My Mary! And still to love, though press'd with ill, In wintry age to feel no chill, With me is to be lovely still, My Mary! But ah! by constant heed I know, My Mary! And should my future lot be cast My Mary! |