English poem
Sonnet XC (FORGETFULNESS! I would thy hand could…)
by Charlotte Smith (1749–1806)
FORGETFULNESS! I would thy hand could close These eyes that turn reluctant from the day; So might this painful consciousness decay, And, with my memory, end my cureless woes. Sister of Chaos and eternal Night! Oblivion! take me to thy quiet reign, Since robb'd of all that gave my soul delight, I only ask exemption from the pain Of knowing "such things were"—and are no more; Of dwelling on the hours for ever fled, And heartless, helpless, hopeless to deplore "Pale misery living, joy and pleasure dead:" While dragging thus unwish'd a length of days, "Death seems prepared to strike, yet still delays."
More by Charlotte Smith
- Sonnet VI (O, HOPE! thou soother sweet of…)
- Sonnet VII (SWEET poet of the woods!2a long…)
- SONNET VIII. To Spring
- Sonnet X (AH! why will Mem'ry with officious…)
- Sonnet XCI (I CAN in groups these mimic…)
- Sonnet XCII (LOW murmurs creep along the woody…)
- Sonnet XI (COME, balmy Sleep! tired Nature's soft…)
- Sonnet XII (ON some rude fragment of the…)