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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ELEGIAC SONNET: 5. TO THE SOUTH DOWNS by CHARLOTTE SMITH

Poet Analysis

First Line: AH! HILLS BELOV'D! - WHERE ONCE A HAPPY CHILD
Last Line: THERE'S NO OBLIVION -- BUT IN DEATH ALONE!
Ah! hills belov'd! -- where once a happy child,
Your beechen shades, "your turf, your flowers among,"
I wove your blue-bells into garlands wild,
And woke your echoes with my artless song.
Ah! hills belov'd! -- your turf, your flowers remain;
But can they peace to this sad breast restore;
For one poor moment soothe the sense of pain,
And teach a breaking heart to throb no more?
And you, Aruna! -- in the vale below,
As to the sea your limpid waves you bear,
Can you one kind Lethean cup bestow,
To drink a long oblivion to my care?
Ah! no! -- when all, e'en Hope's last ray is gone,
There's no oblivion -- but in death alone!



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