Poem by Anna Seward

Sonnet 59. Lady, each soft effusion of thy mind

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LADY MARIANNE CARNEGIE,
passing her winters at Ethic House on the Coast of Scotland, with her Father, Lord Northesk, who retired thither after the death of his excellent Countess.

WRITTEN FEBRUARY 1787.

Lady, each soft effusion of thy mind,
    Flowing thro' thy free pen, shows thee endu'd
    With taste so just for all of wise, and good,
    As bids me hope thy spirit does not find,
Young as thou art, with solitude combin'd
    That wish of change, that irksome lassitude,
    Which often, thro' unvaried days, obtrude
    On Youth's rash bosom, dangerously inclin'd
To pant for more than peace.—Rich volumes yield
    Their soul-endowing wealth.—Beyond e'en these
    Shall consciousness of filial duty gild
The gloomy hours, when Winter's turbid Seas
    Roar round the rocks; when the dark Tempest lours,
    And mourn the Winds round Ethic's lonely towers.

1. Sonnet 41. Since dark December shrouds the transient day
2. Sonnet 65. Marcellus, since the ardors of my strain
3. Sonnet 32. Behold him now his genuine colours wear
4. Sonnet 85. March, tho' the Hours of promise with bright ray
5. Sonnet 86. Pride of Ierne's Sea-encircled bound

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