“THE MOST ALLURING CLOUDS THAT MOUNT THE SKY”

Published 1842

[Hundreds of times have I seen, hanging about and above the vale of Rydal, clouds that might have given birth to this sonnet, which was thrown off on the impulse of the moment one evening when I was returning from the favourite walk of ours, along the Rotha, under Loughrigg.—I.F.]

One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.

The most alluring clouds that mount the sky

Owe to a troubled element their forms,

Their hues to sunset. If with raptured eye

We watch their splendour, shall we covet storms,

And wish the Lord of day his slow decline 5

Would hasten, that such pomp may float on high?

Behold, already they forget to shine,

Dissolve—and leave to him who gazed a sigh.

Not loth to thank each moment for its boon

Of pure delight, come whensoe’er [223] it may, 10

Peace let us seek,—to stedfast things attune

Calm expectations, leaving to the gay

And volatile their love of transient bowers,

The house that cannot pass away be ours.[224]

[223] 1849

… whencesoe’er …

1842.

[224] Compare To the Clouds, I. 94, p. 145.—Ed.