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Home  »  The Book of the Sonnet  »  James Dixon (1814–1873)

Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.

V. To Mrs. Sigourney

James Dixon (1814–1873)

  • With a “Forget-me-not” from the grave of KEATS, on whose tombstone are inscribed these words:—
  • “HERE LIES ONE WHOSE NAME WAS WRIT IN WATER.”


  • WANDERING in Rome, for thee a gift I sought:

    Around me were the wonders of the past;

    And modern Art, on every side, had cast

    Her gems of richest beauty. Yet methought

    These were scarce worthy thee. At length I stood,

    One Sabbath eve, beside the grave of KEATS;

    The turf was bright with flowers that gave their sweets

    To the soft night-air, as in mournful mood:

    Sad thoughts came o’er me, and I could have wept

    That all the hopes that in the Poet’s heart,

    As in a sanctuary, had been kept,

    Could fade so soon, and perish, and depart;

    I plucked this flower for thee, the Muses’ happiest daughter,

    And joyed to think thy name should ne’er be “writ in water.”