| Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916. | | | XXVII. Vain Longing
On the Death of Mr. West | | By Thomas Gray (1716–1771) |
| | | IN vain to me the smiling mornings shine, | |
| And redd’ning Phoebus lifts his golden fire; | |
| The birds in vain their amorous descant join, | |
| Or cheerful fields resume their green attire: | |
| These ears, alas! for other notes repine, | 5 |
| A different object do these eyes require; | |
| My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine, | |
| And in my breast the imperfect joys expire. | |
| Yet morning smiles the busy race to cheer, | |
| And new-born pleasure brings to happier men: | 10 |
| The fields to all their wonted tribute bear; | |
| To warm their little loves the birds complain: | |
| I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear, | |
| And weep the more because I weep in vain. | | | | |
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