Anna Seward

Sonnet LXXX

As lightens the brown Hill to vivid green

When juvenescent April's showery Sun

Looks on its side, with golden glance, at Noon;

So on the gloom of Life's now faded scene

Shines the dear image of those days serene,

From Memory's consecrated treasures won;

The days that rose, ere youth, and years were flown,

Soft as the morn of May;—and well I ween

If they had clouds, in Time's alembic clear

They vanish'd all, and their gay vision glows

In brightness unobscur'd; and now they wear

A more than pristine sunniness, which throws

Those mild reflected lights that soften care,

Loss of lov'd Friends, and all the train of Woes.