Elegiac sonnets. Volume 1 of 2  contents   |   previous   |   next SONNET XLII. COMPOSED DURING A WALK ON THE DOWNS, IN NOVEMBER 1787. THE dark and pillowy cloud; the sallow trees,          Seem o'er the ruins of the year to mourn; And cold and hollow, the inconstant breeze          Sobs thro' the falling leaves and wither'd fern.          O'er the tall brow of yonder chalky bourn, The evening shades their gather'd darkness fling,          While by the lingering light, I scarce discern The shrieking night-jar, sail on heavy wing. [Note:] SONNET XLII. Line 8. "The shrieking night-jar sail on heavy wing." The night-jar or night hawk, a dark bird not so big as a rook, which is frequently seen of an evening on the downs. It has a short heavy flight, then rests on the ground, and again, uttering a mournful cry, flits before the traveller, to whom its appearance is supposed by the peasants to portend misfortune. As I have never seen it dead, I know not to what species it belongs.          Ah! yet a little and propitious Spring Crown'd with fresh flowers, shall wake the woodland strain;          But no gay change revolving seasons bring, To call forth pleasure from the soul of pain, Bid Syren Hope resume her long lost part, And chace the vulture Care that feeds upon the heart.  contents   |   previous   |   next		HOME INTRODUCTION