Sonnet LXXXV Tennemi Amor Anni Ventuno Ardendo
He Confesses and Regrets His Sins, and Prays God to Save Him From Eternal Death
Love held me one and twenty years enchain’d,
His flame was joy—for hope was in my grief!
For ten more years I wept without relief,
When Laura with my heart, to heaven attain’d.
Now weary grown, my life I had arraign’d
That in its error, check’d (to my belief)
Blest virtue’s seeds—now, in my yellow leaf,
I grieve the misspent years, existence stain’d.
Alas! it might have sought a brighter goal,
In flying troublous thoughts, and winning peace;
O Father! I repentant seek thy throne:
Thou, in this temple hast enshrined my soul,
Oh, bless me yet, and grant its safe release!
Unjustified—my sin I humbly own.
Wollaston.