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University of Virginia Library

Poems

Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition

Thelwall, John (1764-1834)

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EFFUSIONS OF SOCIAL and RELATIVE AFFECTION.

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ELEGY On the death of a favourite Schoolfellow, Phillip Bonafous, who died of the small pox, in 1785.

Elegy, written during the Festival of Christmas, 1785.

Elegy, written in 1786, at a time when the subject of Imprisonment for Debt was much discussed.

Sonnet to the Nightingale. 1788.

Lines presented by the Author, to his Mother, together with a crutch stick.

Stanzas On a clay candlestick, given to the Author by an esteemed and valuable friend.

EXTEMPORE, On receiving a Rose from his Sister.

The Invitation.

STANZAS written in 1790.

EPISTLE to MERCUTIO.

Invocation to Poetry.

STANZAS To Rosa Bella Bianca, on her Birth-day.

To Stella in the Country, Dec. 1796.

The Tartan Pladdie.

Lines, written at Bridgewater, in Somersetshire, on the 27th of July, 1797; during a long excursion, in quest of a peaceful retreat.

On leaving the Bottoms of Glocestershire; where the Author had been entertained by several families with great hospitality.

To the Infant Hampden.—Written during a sleepless night.

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PATERNAL TEARS.

I.

EFFUSION I. Llys-Wen, Feb. 1800.

II.

EFFUSION II. In the Vale of Taff. May 13, 1800.

III.

EFFUSION III. On the Banks of the Wye. May 15, 1800.

IV.

EFFUSION IV. During a severe Indisposition. May 18, 1800.

V.

EFFUSION V. In the Vale of Taff. June, 1800.

VI.

EFFUSION VI. On returning from a Journey to Merthyr Tydfil. June, 1800.

VII.

EFFUSION VII. On Stella's leaving me, to Visit some Friends, at Hereford, with a View to the Restoration of her Health. Llys-Wen. June, 1800.

VIII.

EFFUSION VIII. At Merthyr Tydfil. June, 1800.

IX.

EFFUSION IX. After having spent a Part of the preceding Day in cheerful Society. Llys-Wen. Sept. 14, 1800.

X.

EFFUSION X. CERRIG-ENION:

The HARP on the WILLOW.

INVOCATION TO HEALTH.

THE ORPHAN BOY.

Amatory Sonnet.

THE FALL OF EGYPT;

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Specimens of THE HOPE OF ALBION;

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THE HOPE OF ALBION.

1.

BOOK THE FIRST.

2.

BOOK THE SECOND.

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EFFUSION IV. During a severe Indisposition. May 18, 1800.

Stretch'd on the bed of pain, restless I lie,
Nor taste the vernal day-spring. Heavily
Pass the lone hours; and thro' my wasting nerves
The feverish langour steals. Yet not for this
Heave I the frequent groan—nor not for this
Course down my wasted cheeks the channell'd tears,
Dewing the uneasy pillow. Corporal pain,
The woe of vulgar minds, with stoic pride,
I well can combat: and there was a time,
When never lonesome seem'd the pensive hour
Of silent solitude. For then the Muse,
On Contemplation's wing, would haply soar
Into the realms of Fancy; bodying forth
Ideal excellence, and into life,
Calling each nobler feeling: or, more blest,
With whisper'd voice, most musical, would tell
Of future hopes (how specious)—flattering boons
That the paternal heart might well repay
For all its years of anguish. Ah! how oft
In such sweet vision has my raptur'd soul
Dwelt on thy form, Maria!—Ah! how oft
Imag'd thy rip'ning years; when every hope,
That sweetly blossom'd in thy morn of life,
Should bloom in gracious fulness—when thy form,
More fair expanding, and more beauteous mind
(Germe of each kindlier virtue!) should secure

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(As did thy spring-tide promise) joy and love,
And all the blissful feelings that reflect
Back on the worth that wakes them. Ah! most blest
When thoughts like these were present! Pain, and Woe,
And persecuting Fortune, lost their power,
And my torn heart was heal'd.—But, she is gone!
The balm of life is gone; and its sore ills
Fester irremeable! Yet, not these I feel:
Nought but thy loss is poignant—O! Maria!—
My health!—my joy!—my fortune! all entomb'd!