Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. V. To Philenia, on a Stanza in Her Address to Myra By Robert Treat Paine (1773–1811)
THY 1 “bosom bankrupt,” fair Peru divine, Of every mental gem, that e’er has shone, In dazzled Fancy’s intellectual mine, Or ever spangled Virtue’s radiant zone! Thy “bosom bankrupt”!—Nature, sooner far, 5 Shall roll, exhausted, flowerless springs away, Leave the broad eye of noon without a ray, And strip the path to heaven of every star. Thy “bosom bankrupt”!—Ah! those sorrows cease Which taught us how to weep, and how admire; 10 The tear that falls to soothe thy wounded peace, With rapture glistens o’er thy matchless lyre. Ind and Golconda, in one firm combined, Shall sooner bankrupt than Philenia’s mind.
Note 1. “Since first Affliction’s dreary frown Gloomed the bright summer of my days, Ne’er has my bankrupt bosom known A solace like his peerless praise.”
back ]
