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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ELEGIAC SONNET: 71. WRITTEN AT WEYMOUTH IN WINTER by CHARLOTTE SMITH

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE CHILL WAVES WHITEN IN THE SHARP NORTH-EAST
Last Line: ALL THAT GAVE ME DELIGHT -- AH! NEVER TO RETURN!
Subject(s): WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND;

The chill waves whiten in the sharp North-east;
Cold, cold the night-blast comes, with sullen sound;
And black and gloomy, like my cheerless breast,
Frowns the dark pier and lonely sea-view round.
Yet a few months -- and on the peopled strand
Pleasure shall all her varied forms display;
Nymphs lightly tread the bright reflecting sand,
And proud sails whiten all the summer bay:
Then, for these winds that whistle keen and bleak,
Music's delightful melodies shall float
O'er the blue waters; but 'tis mine to seek
Rather, some unfrequented shade, remote
From sights and sounds of gaiety[.] -- I mourn
All that gave me delight -- Ah! never to return!



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