Poems (Hornblower)/Sonnet (Wrentnall! farewell! where many a smiling day)
For works with similar titles, see Sonnet.
SONNET.
Wrentnall! farewell! where many a smiling day
Of rural pleasure has gone lightly by,
And, like a summer sunbeam, seemed to fly
Across my spirit—soon to fade away.
Farewell! ye deep-blue hills, ye waving fields,
Each lovely landscape brightening to my gaze,
The thousand varied charms that nature yields,
Soon, soon to be the dream of other days.
When I shall be far distant; peace be thine—
Still may thy cottage smoke amid the trees—
May the pure fragrance of the healthful breeze
And many a cloudless sun upon thee shine!
And oh! may they thy simple joys have blessed,
In all their wanderings find as sweet a rest.
Of rural pleasure has gone lightly by,
And, like a summer sunbeam, seemed to fly
Across my spirit—soon to fade away.
Farewell! ye deep-blue hills, ye waving fields,
Each lovely landscape brightening to my gaze,
The thousand varied charms that nature yields,
Soon, soon to be the dream of other days.
When I shall be far distant; peace be thine—
Still may thy cottage smoke amid the trees—
May the pure fragrance of the healthful breeze
And many a cloudless sun upon thee shine!
And oh! may they thy simple joys have blessed,
In all their wanderings find as sweet a rest.