University of Virginia Library


180

SONNET.

[In vain doth Grandeur, trick'd in gorgeous pall]

In vain doth Grandeur, trick'd in gorgeous pall,
Stalk stately by, and point to glittering joys;
In vain doth Mammon spread his gilded toys,
To lure a careless wight to bitter thrall;
In vain doth loudly-laughing Pleasure call
To loose delights and days of mirthful noise;
Hence, hated fiends!—me gentle Peace accoys;
Her cup is heavenly sweet, undash'd with gall;
Yblest in her, with slow and secret tread,
I wander, loitering, in the arched grove,
Fancy's gay dreams aye dancing round my head;
There jolly elves at midnight nimbly move
Their dainty feet; and shades of mighty dead
Glide pale across my path. Such scenes the muses love.