Brook! Whose Society The Poet Seeks

Composed 1806?--Published 1815

One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

Brook! whose society the Poet seeks, Intent his wasted spirits to renew; And whom the curious Painter doth pursue Through rocky passes, among flowery creeks, And tracks thee dancing down thy water-breaks; If wish were mine some type of thee to view, Thee, and not thee thyself, I would not do Like Grecian Artists, give thee human cheeks, Channels for tears; no Naiad should'st thou be,-- Have neither limbs, feet, feathers, joints nor hairs: It seems the Eternal Soul is clothed in thee With purer robes than those of flesh and blood, And hath bestowed on thee a safer good; Unwearied joy, and life without its cares.

VARIANTS:

1827.

If I some type of thee did wish to view, 1815.

1845.

... a better good; 1815.