University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne

Complete edition with numerous illustrations
Hayne, Paul Hamilton (1830-1886)

expand section 
[section]

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
next section

SONNET.

I cast this sorrow from me like a crown
Of bitter nettles, and unwholesome weeds,
Nursed by cold night-dews, from malignant seeds,
Ill Fortune sowed, when all the heaven did frown;
Its loathsome round I trample deeply down
166

In mire and dust, to burn my brain no more;
From off my brow I wipe the trickling gore,
While all about me, like keen clarions blown,
From breezy dells, and golden heights afar,
Their stern reveillé the wild March winds sound;
They wake an answering passion in my soul,
Whence, marshalled as brave warriors, taking ground
For noblest conflict, freed from doubt or dole,
Great thoughts uprising front Hope's morning star!
previous section Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
next section