Poems and Plays By William Hayley ... in Six Volumes. A New Edition |
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THE SONNET OF GIUSTINA TO
PETRARCH. |
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 | Poems and Plays |  |
219
THE SONNET OF GIUSTINA TO PETRARCH.
Gladly would I exchange inglorious ease
For future fame, the Poet's fond desire!
And still to live, in spite of death, aspire
By Virtue's light, that darkness cannot seize:
But, stupified by Custom's blank decrees,
The idle vulgar, void of liberal fire,
Bid me, with scorn, from Helicon retire,
And rudely blame my generous hope to please.
Distaffs, not laurels, to your sex belong,
They cry—as honour were beyond our view:
To such low cares they wish my spirit bent.
Say thou! who marchest, mid the favour'd few,
To high Parnassus, with triumphant song,
Should I abandon such a fair intent?
For future fame, the Poet's fond desire!
And still to live, in spite of death, aspire
By Virtue's light, that darkness cannot seize:
But, stupified by Custom's blank decrees,
The idle vulgar, void of liberal fire,
Bid me, with scorn, from Helicon retire,
And rudely blame my generous hope to please.
Distaffs, not laurels, to your sex belong,
They cry—as honour were beyond our view:
To such low cares they wish my spirit bent.
Say thou! who marchest, mid the favour'd few,
To high Parnassus, with triumphant song,
Should I abandon such a fair intent?
| Poems and Plays | |