[Page 51]

SONNET [31] XXXI. Written on Farm Wood, South Downs, May, 1784.

1 SPRING's dewy hand on this fair summit weaves
2 The downy grass, with tufts of Alpine flow'rs,
[*]

LINE 2. Alpine flowers.

An infinite variety of plants are found on these hills, particularly about this spot: Many sorts of Orchis and Cistus of singular beauty, with several others.

3 And shades the beechen slopes with tender leaves,
4 And leads the shepherd to his upland bow'rs,
5 Strewn with wild thyme; while slow descending show'rs,
6 Feed the green ear, and nurse the future sheaves!
7 Ah! blest the hind, whom no sad thought bereaves
8 Of the gay Season's pleasures! All his hours
9 To wholesome labour giv'n, or thoughtless mirth;
10 No pangs of sorrow past, or coming dread,
11 Bend his unconscious spirit down to earth,
12 Or chase calm slumbers from his careless head!
13 Ah! What to me can those dear days restore,
14 When scenes could charm, that now I taste no more!

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Title (in Source Edition): SONNET [31] XXXI. Written on Farm Wood, South Downs, May, 1784.
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Genres: sonnet

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Smith, Charlotte Turner, 1749-1806. Elegiac sonnets, and other poems. By Charlotte Smith. The first Worcester edition, from the sixth London edition, with additions. Printed at Worcester [Mass.]: by Isaiah Thomas, sold by him in Worcester, and by said Thomas and Andrews in Boston, 1795, p. 51. xix,[2],22-126,[2]p.,[5] leaves of plates: ill.; 15 cm. (12mo) (OTA N22357)

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The text has been typographically modernized, but without any silent modernization of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. The source of the text is given and all editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. Based on the electronic text originally produced by the TCP project, this ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.

Other works by Charlotte Smith (née Turner)