Poem by Charlotte Turner Smith

Sonnet 77. To The Insect Of The Gossamer

SMALL, viewless aeronaut, that by the line
Of Gossamer suspended, in mid air
Float'st on a sun beam--Living atom, where
Ends thy breeze-guided voyage;--with what design,
In ether dost thou launch thy form minute,
Mocking the eye?--Alas! before the veil
Of denser clouds shall hide thee, the pursuit
Of the keen Swift may end thy fairy sail!--
Thus on the golden thread that Fancy weaves
Buoyant, as Hope's illusive flattery breathes,
The young and visionary poet leaves
Life's dull realities, while sevenfold wreaths
Of rainbow-light around his head revolve.
Ah! soon at Sorrow's touch the radiant dreams dissolve! 

1. A Descriptive Ode
2. Verses, on the Death of the Same Lady
3. Sonnet 34. Charm'd by Thy Suffrage
4. Inscription
5. Sonnet 35. To Fortitude

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