Sonnet Written at the Grave of a Friend
Fast from the west the fading day-streaks fly,
And ebon Night assumes her solemn sway,
Yet here alone, unheeding time, I lie,
And o’er my friend still pour the plaintive lay.
Oh! ’tis not long since, George, with thee I woo’d
The maid of musings by yon moaning wave;
And hail’d the moon’s mild beam, which, now renew’d,
Seems sweetly sleeping on thy silent grave!
The busy world pursues its boisterous way,
The noise of revelry still echoes round,
Yet I am sad while all beside is gay;
Yet still I weep o’er thy deserted mound.
Oh! that, like thee, I might bid sorrow cease,
And ’neath the greensward sleep the sleep of peace.