Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SAPPHO AND PHAON: 21. LAMENTS HER EARLY MISFORTUNES, by MARY DARBY ROBINSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SAPPHO AND PHAON: 21. LAMENTS HER EARLY MISFORTUNES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why do I live to loathe the cheerful day
Last Line: Oh! Must that task, that mournful task, be thine?


Why do I live to loathe the cheerful day,
To shun the smiles of Fame, and mark the hours
On tardy pinions move, while ceaseless showers
Down my wan cheek in lucid currents stray?
My tresses all unbound, nor gems display,
Nor scents Arabian! on my path no flowers
Imbibe the morn's resuscitating powers,
For one blank sorrow, saddens all my way!
As slow the radiant sun of reason rose,
Through tears my dying parents saw it shine;
A brother's frailties, swelled the tide of woes, --
And, keener far, maternal griefs were mine!
Phaon! if soon these weary eyes shall close,
Oh! must that task, that mournful task, be thine?





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