SONNET. INVITATION TO A FRIEND. Anna Seward Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T96723 Seward, Anna, 1742-1809. Llangollen Vale, with Other Poems. London Printed for G. Sael, No. 192, Strand 1796 p. 47.

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SONNET . INVITATION TO A FRIEND . Since dark December shrouds the transient day , And stormy Winds are howling in their ire , Why com'st not THOU , who always can'st inspire The soul of cheerfulness , and best array A sullen hour in smiles ? — O ! haste to pay The cordial visit sullen hours require ! Around the circling Walls a glowing fire Shines ; — but it vainly shines in this delay To blend thy spirit's warm Promethean light . Come then , at Science , and at Friendship's call , Their vow'd Disciple ; — come ; for they invite ; The social Powers without thee languish all . Come , — that I may not hear the winds of night , Nor count the heavy eve-drops as they fall !