That, unconscious, with a sigh, "Whence," I said, "and where am I?" And seem'd to Heaven convey'd that day. Since it pass'd, no place can please, Save this; here only I exist in ease. If thou wert tuneful as sincere, Boldly might'st thou quit, my song, The woods, and mingle with the courtly throng. SONNET EMBARKING ON THE PO, IN HIS WAY TO VERONA. WELL may'st thou bear these limbs, majestic Po, At will, upon thy powerful, rapid waves; T 2 To that bless'd branch, whose presence still it craves, Hastening, itself with outstretch'd pinions saves Thou what is mortal of me may'st convey; * Of laurel, i. e. Laura. + The course of the Po being east, it moved towards the sun, and from Laura. SONNET TRAVELLING HOMEWARDS FROM ITALY, ON THE BANKS OF THE RHONE. O RAPID flood, that, from thy fountain hoarse, Through Alpine deserts gnawing,* whence thy name, Advancest, night and day, our path the same, Where love leads me, thee only Nature's course; There shines my living Sun with favouring ray, * Deriving it from the Latin and Italian, "rodere. Kiss her light feet, or hand, among those bowers. Tell her (and let that kiss, like language say) My will is prompt, but tardy are my powers."* SONNET ON THE GRIEF OF LAURA, SUPPOSED FOR THE DEATH OF HER MOTHER, I SAW a simple mortal shew, at will, The recollection dear, though sad, is grown, And potent plaints seem'd utter'd, in a tone still. * The scriptural expression is here softened. Grace, Feeling, Prudence, Dignity, and Grief, SONNET ON A DISTINCTION SHEWN TO LAURA BY A PRINCE, SUPPOSED TO BE CHARLES SON OF THE KING OF BOHEMIA, AND AFTERWARDS THE EMPEROR CHARLES THE FOURTH. ONE of rare powers, as of a royal race, |