On Seeing a Youth Affectionately Welcomed by a Sister[21:1]

Linenotes:

Title] Sonnet v. MS. O.

tear] tears MS. O.

O my sweet sister must thou die MS. O.

gone] flown MS. O.

Fated] Destin'd MS. O.

father] Mother MS. O.

I too a sister had! too cruel Death!
How sad Remembrance bids my bosom heave!
Tranquil her soul, as sleeping Infant's breath;
Meek were her manners as a vernal Eve.
Knowledge, that frequent lifts the bloated mind,
Gave her the treasure of a lowly breast,
And Wit to venom'd Malice oft assign'd,
Dwelt in her bosom in a Turtle's nest.
Cease, busy Memory! cease to urge the dart;
Nor on my soul her love to me impress!
For oh I mourn in anguish—and my heart
Feels the keen pang, th' unutterable distress.
Yet wherefore grieve I that her sorrows cease,
For Life was misery, and the Grave is Peace!

1791.