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Sungleams

Rondeaux and Sonnets. By the Rev. Richard Wilton
  
  

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 I. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 VI. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 XIII. 
 XIV. 
 XV. 
 XVI. 
XVI. PRE-INTIMATIONS.
 XVII. 
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 XXV. 
 XXVI. 
 XXVII. 
 XXVIII. 
 XXIX. 
 XXX. 
 XXXI. 
 XXXII. 
 XXXIII. 
 XXXIV. 
 XXXV. 
 XXXVII. 
 XXXVIII. 
 XXXIX. 
 XL. 
 XLI. 
 XLII. 
 XLIII. 
 XLIV. 
 XLV. 
 XLVI. 
 XLVII. 
 XLVIII. 
 XLIX. 
 L. 
  


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XVI. PRE-INTIMATIONS.

Before its umbered foliage left the oak,
I saw a tuft of snowdrop-leaves appear,
A tiny phalanx with the frequent spear,
Which to its windy war too soon awoke.
Of comfort and of hope far off it spoke,
While Autumn lingered and the skies were clear;
And whispered sweetly of the vernal year,
Ere from their caves December tempests broke.
So sometimes when a wintry grief draws near
An unexpected light of hope is seen,
Kindly forerunning the experience drear:
A holy text puts forth a sudden green
To fortify us for the coming fear
And bid us look beyond to hours serene.