s,
All the dire train of ills Existence knows,
Thou shuttest out FOR EVER!--Why then weep
This fix'd tranquillity,--so long!--so deep!
In a dear FATHER's clay-cold Form?--where rose
No energy, enlivening Health bestows,
Thro' many a tedious year, that us'd to creep
In languid deprivation; while the flame
Of intellect, resplendent once confess'd,
Dark, and more dark, each passing day became.
Now that angelic lights the SOUL invest,
Calm let me yield to _thee_ a joyless Frame,
THOU SILENT DOOR OF EVERLASTING REST.

_Lichfield, March 1790._

SONNET XCVIII.

Since my griev'd mind some energy regains,
Industrious habits can, at times, repress
The weight of filial woe, the deep distress
Of life-long separation; yet its pains,
Oft do they throb along these fever'd veins.--
My rest has lost its balm, the fond caress
Wont the dear aged forehead to impress
At midnight, as he slept;--nor now obtains
My uprising the blest news, that cou'd impart
Joy to the morning, when its dawn had brought
Some health to that weak Frame, o'er which my heart
With fearful fondness yearn'd, and anxious thought.--
Time, and the HOPE that robs the mortal Dart
Of its fell sting, shall cheer me--as they ought.

SONNET XCIX.

ON THE VIOLENT THUNDER STORMS.

DECEMBER 1790.

Remorseless WINTER! in thy iron reign
Comes the loud whirlwind, on thy pinion borne;
The _long long_ night,--the tardy, leaden morn;
The grey frost, riv'ling lane, and hill, and plain;
Chill silent snows, and heavy, pattering rain.
These are thy _known_ allies;--and Life forlorn,
Yet patient, droops, nor breathes repinings vain;
But now, Usurper, thou hast madly torn
From Summer's hand his stores of angry sway;
His rattling thunders with thy winds unite,
On thy pale snows those livid lightnings play,
That pour their deathful splendors o'er his night,
To poise the pleasures of his golden day,
Soft gales, blue skies, and long-protracted light.

SONNET C.

WRITTEN DECEMBER 1790.

Lyre of the Sonnet, that full many a time
Amus'd my lassitude, and sooth'd my pains,
When graver cares forbade the _lengthen'd_ strains,
To thy brief bound, and oft-returning chime
A long farewell!--the splendid forms of Rhyme
When Grief in lonely orphanism reigns,
Oppress the drooping Soul.--DEATH's da