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Poem by Anna Seward


Sonnet 19. Farewell, false Friend!—our scenes of kindness close!


       TO ——.

Farewell, false Friend!—our scenes of kindness close!
    To cordial looks, to sunny smiles farewell!
    To sweet consolings, that can grief expel,
    And every joy soft sympathy bestows!
For alter'd looks, where truth no longer glows,
    Thou hast prepar'd my heart;—and it was well
    To bid thy pen th' unlook'd for story tell,
    Falsehood avow'd, that shame, nor sorrow knows.—
O! when we meet,—(to meet we're destin'd, try
    To avoid it as thou may'st) on either brow,
    Nor in the stealing consciousness of eye,
Be seen the slightest trace of what, or how
    We once were to each other;—nor one sigh
    Flatter with weak regret a broken vow!



Anna Seward


Anna Seward's other poems:
  1. Sonnet 41. Since dark December shrouds the transient day
  2. Sonnet 32. Behold him now his genuine colours wear
  3. Sonnet 65. Marcellus, since the ardors of my strain
  4. Sonnet 89. Yon late but gleaming Moon, in hoary light
  5. Sonnet 85. March, tho' the Hours of promise with bright ray


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