Elegiac sonnets. Volume 1 of 2  contents   |   previous   |   next SONNET VII. ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE NIGHTINGALE. SWEET poet of the woods a long adieu!          Farewel, soft minstrel of the early year! Ah! 'twill be long ere thou shalt sing anew,          And pour thy music on 'the night's dull ear.' [Note:] SONNET VII. Line 4. 'On the night's dull ear.' Shakespeare. Whether on Spring thy wandering flights await, [Note:] SONNET VII. Line 5. Whether on Spring Alludes to the supposed migration of the Nightingale.          Or whether silent in our groves you dwell, The pensive muse shall own thee for her mate, [Note:] SONNET VII. Line 7. The pensive Muse shall own thee for his mate. Whether the Muse or Love call thee his mate, Both them I serve, and of their train am I. Milton's First Sonnet.          And still protect the song, she loves so well. With cautious step, the love-lorn youth shall glide          Thro' the lone brake that shades thy mossy nest; And shepherd girls, from eyes profane shall hide          The gentle bird, who sings of pity best: For still thy voice shall soft affections move, And still be dear to sorrow, and to love!  contents   |   previous   |   next		HOME INTRODUCTION