“OH WHAT A WRECK! HOW CHANGED IN MIEN AND SPEECH!”
Composed 1835.—Published 1838
[The sad condition of poor Mrs. Southey[55] put me upon writing this. It has afforded comfort to many persons whose friends have been similarly affected.—I.F.]
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
Oh what a Wreck! how changed in mien and speech!
Yet—though dread Powers, that work in mystery, spin
Entanglings of[56] the brain; though shadows stretch
O’er the chilled heart—reflect; far, far within
Hers is a holy Being, freed from Sin. 5