ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XXVII. IMAGINATIVE REGRETS
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
DEEP is the lamentation! Not alone From Sages justly honoured by mankind; But from the ghostly tenants of the wind, Demons and Spirits, many a dolorous groan Issues for that dominion overthrown: Proud Tiber grieves, and far-off Ganges, blind As his own worshippers: and Nile, reclined Upon his monstrous urn, the farewell moan Renews. Through every forest, cave, and den, Where frauds were hatched of old, hath sorrow past– 10 Hangs o’er the Arabian Prophet’s native Waste, Where once his airy helpers schemed and planned ‘Mid spectral lakes bemocking thirsty men, And stalking pillars built of fiery sand.