TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE MARCHIONESS OF DONEGALL, WITH MR HAYLEY'S LIFE OF MILTON. Go, rescuing Volume, seek her gentle hands Whose sophist reasoning, and detractive powers, 1. 5. Party-prejudice—Alluding to Dr Johnson's unjust biegraphy of Milton. Lo! all is day in this redeeming tome! Again in light the amaranth garlands bloom; And, as unveil'd appears each dark'ning aim, Great in the lustre of his former fame, Immortal MILTON stands to future times, Nor sighing Goodness mourns his fancied crimes. These leaves while graceful DONEGALL explores, New pleasures shall augment her bosom's stores; Increase the happiness, that hourly swells Where the soul's sunshine, conscious Virtue, dwells. And O! what virtue more unclouded beams Than from her spotless life continual streams? Virtue, that 'mid distinction's dazzling rays, And in the tempting and the dangerous days Of blooming charms, and inexperienc'd youth, Shone the bright pattern of connubial truth; With growing lustre and with strength'ning powers From life's gay morning to its noontide hours. What then was innocence and faith sincere, The blush of modesty and pity's tear, Now glows with energies, that widely spread Comfort on penury's deserted head, And guards that Worth, which rank and wealth be hold Change all their tinsel to Intrinsic Gold. TO MISS GODFREY,* WITH MR HAYLEY'S LIFE OF MILTON. HERE, from that excellence of mind and heart Recedes injustice' dark but transient stain. Thou, gentle Maid, whose kindred spirit shares Wilt joy to see expos'd the sophist snares And O! to each more bright these leaves will shine, * Sister to the Marchioness of Donegall. SONNET I.* WHEN life's realities the soul perceives The golden gates of Genius, she achieves 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 was last published.-ANNA SEWARD. SONNET II. THE future, and its gifts alone we prize, When yet again, shining through April-tears, years. |