Thomas Cooper

The Sonnet on the Death of Allen Davenport. ¹ 2

By a Brother Bard and Shoemaker

Yes, he of whom I speak, my humble friend,
	A poet, too, philosopher – and more;
	Thus to the last courageously him bore,
And made the honest always be his end.
What he had thought, and taught of, heretofore,
	Was now his turn to practice – to commend
By’s own example. “See! if you’ll attend.”
	So might he say, “I go the road before!”
And now they’ll take him where he wishes to be – 
	Even by to-morrow’s mid-day, where the flowers
Will grow, as comes the Spring time, lovingly,
	And charming all, who wandering near, may know
The dust imprisoned there, had once the power –
	Mute as it is – the boldest truths to show.