Explore "Sonnet on the Death of Richard West" by Thomas Gray on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
In vain to me the smiling Mornings shine, / And reddening Phoebus lifts his golden fire; / The birds in vain their amorous descant join; / Or cheerful fields resume their green attire; / These ears, alas! for other notes repine, / A different object do these eyes require; / My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine; / And in my breast the imperfect joys expire.
Yet Morning smiles the busy race to cheer, / And new-born pleasure brings to happier men; / The fields to all their wonted tribute bear; / To warm their little loves the birds complain; / I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear, / And weep the more because I weep in vain.
At Stoke, Aug., 1742.