Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. III. The Eighteenth Century: Addison to Blake

Thomas Gray (1716–1771)

Sonnet on the Death of Mr. Richard West

IN vain to me the smiling mornings shine,

And reddening Phœbus lifts his golden fire:

The birds in vain their amorous descant join;

Or cheerful fields resume their green attire:

These ears, alas! for other notes repine;

A different object do these eyes require:

My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine;

And in my breast the imperfect joys expire.

Yet morning smiles the busy race to cheer,

And new-born pleasure brings to happier men:

The fields to all their wonted tribute bear:

To warm their little loves the birds complain:

I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear,

And weep the more, because I weep in vain.