Sonnet XXXII - To Melancholy

Sonnet XXXII - To Melancholy
By Charlotte Smith, 1785

WRITTEN ON THE BANKS OF THE ARUN, OCTOBER 1785.

WHEN latest Autumn spreads her evening veil
And the grey mists from these dim waves arise,
I love to listen to the hollow sighs,
Thro' the half leafless wood that breathes the gale.
For at such hours the shadowy phantom, pale,
Oft seems to fleet before the poet's eyes;
Strange sounds are heard, and mournful melodies,
As of night-wanderers, who their woes bewail!
Pity's own Otway, I methinks could meet,
And hear his deep sighs swell the sadden'd wind!
Oh Melancholy! -- such thy magic power,
That to the soul these dreams are often sweet,
And soothe the pensive visionary mind!

Love's Promised Fate

A simple request
Upon your departure
In feeling so blessed
By Love's little Archer:

To kiss it so lightly:
Your soft little brow
Of which I dream nightly
And missed until now.

A kiss on the left,
A kiss on the right.
I hold you bereft,
I hold you so tight

Thoughts of you leaving
Fill me with sadness;
Thoughts so deceiving
To steal all my gladness.

So here will I wait
For treasured return
While Love's promised fate
I ardently yearn...

Fire and Forge and Ocean's Waves

With fire and forge surrounding,
This one can find no friend.
The Ocean’s waves are drowning
This one who fears its end.

Such times when minds transcend
The tortures of their souls,
This one might lightly mend
The forge and Ocean’s tolls.

Then if this one is smiling
Against what he contends
Then match him in his timing:
Resilient strength commend.

For from which mighty mold
Heroic strength is wrought
This one was formed so bold
To challenge burdened thought.

To stand against the flames
And face that forge surrounding
To use what breath remains
To fight the Ocean’s drowning.

And if a soul could fight
‘Gainst such unending foe,
That soul would dress the night
In god and mortal glow.

So watch it as it conquers
And watch it when it falls
You’ll find this one is stronger
To walk immortal halls.

Let Faith and Patience lead you
To guide him through his plight,
For at its end he’ll need you.
To tend him through the night.