 | Impressions of Italy and Other Poems |  |
303
SONNET
ON THE LAMENTED DEATH OF THE COUNTESS HOWE.
Bright Excellence! translated to the Skies,We mourn thee with a true and tender woe;
Yet should a Heavenly sweetness through it flow,
Which from its Heavenly subject should arise!
Thou walkedst with the Good—the Pure—the Wise—
The Meek and Humble-minded ones below.
Now shall the Angelic Hosts their Sister know!
Mount and receive on high thy palmy prize!
Almost thou seemedst—and be these thoughts forgiven,
Which will from Grief's luxuriant soil take birth—
So little tinctured with Sin's worldly leaven—
Blest with such bright perfection of rare worth,—
Too dear to Earth to be yet spared to Heaven,
Yet ah! too ripe for Heaven, to be retained on Earth!
| Impressions of Italy and Other Poems | |