THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

TO ----

Composed 1835.--Published 1835

[The fate of this poor Dove, as described, was told to me at BrinsopCourt, by the young lady to whom I have given the name of Lesbia.--I.F.]

[Miss not the occasion: by the forelock take

That subtle Power, the never-halting Time,

Lest a mere moment's putting-off should make

Mischance almost as heavy as a crime.]

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

"Wait, prithee, wait!" this answer Lesbia[51] threw

Forth to her Dove, and took no further heed.

Her eye was busy, while her fingers flew

Across the harp, with soul-engrossing speed;

But from that bondage when her thoughts were freed

She rose, and toward the close-shut casement drew,

Whence the poor unregarded Favourite, true

To old affections, had been heard to plead

With flapping wing for entrance. What a shriek

Forced from that voice so lately tuned to a strain

Of harmony!----a shriek of terror, pain,

And self-reproach! for, from aloft, a Kite

Pounced,----and the Dove, which from its ruthless beak

She could not rescue, perished in her sight!

[51] Miss Loveday Walker, daughter of the Rector of Brinsop. See the Fenwick note to the next sonnet.--ED.