CONCLUSION
TO ——[507]
Composed 1827.—Published 1827
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."—Ed.
If these brief Records, by the Muses' art
Produced as lonely Nature or the strife
That animates the scenes of public life[508]
Inspired, may in thy leisure claim a part;
And if these Transcripts of the private heart 5
Have gained a sanction from thy falling tears;
Then I repent not. But my soul hath fears
Breathed from eternity; for as a dart
Cleaves the blank air, Life flies: now every day
Is but a glimmering spoke in the swift wheel 10
Of the revolving week. Away, away,
All fitful cares, all transitory zeal!
So timely Grace the immortal wing may heal,
And honour rest upon the senseless clay.
FOOTNOTES:
[507] I have been unable to discover to whom this Conclusion was addressed. It may have been to his daughter.—Ed.
[508] This line alludes to Sonnets which will be found in another Class.—W. W. 1837.
He refers to the sonnets on Liberty, etc.—Ed.