On The Same Subject

Composed 1840.--Published 1842

One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”--ED.

Though I beheld at first with blank surprise This Work, I now have gazed on it so long I see its truth with unreluctant eyes; O, my Belovèd! I have done thee wrong, Conscious of blessedness, but, whence it sprung, Ever too heedless, as I now perceive: Morn into noon did pass, noon into eve, And the old day was welcome as the young, As welcome, and as beautiful--in sooth More beautiful, as being a thing more holy: Thanks to thy virtues, to the eternal youth Of all thy goodness, never melancholy; To thy large heart and humble mind, that cast Into one vision, future, present, past.

Compare--

O dearer far than light and life are dear (1824). Let other bards of angels sing (1824). Such age how beautiful! O Lady bright (1827). What heavenly smiles! O Lady mine (1845).

ED.