Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | Sonnet |
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) |
| | | YE 1 hasten to the grave! What seek ye there, | |
| Ye restless thoughts and busy purposes | |
| Of the idle brain, which the world’s livery wear? | |
| Oh thou quick heart, which pantest to possess | |
| All that pale Expectation feigneth fair! | 5 |
| Thou vainly curious mind which wouldest guess | |
| Whence thou didst come, and whither thou must go, | |
| And all that never yet was known wouldst know— | |
| Oh, whither hasten ye, that thus ye press, | |
| With such swift feet life’s green and pleasant path, | 10 |
| Seeking, alike from happiness and woe, | |
| A refuge in the cavern of gray death? | |
| O heart, and mind, and thoughts! what thing do you | |
| Hope to inherit in the grave below? | |
| | | Note 1. Shelley. Sonnet. 1820. In l. 8. I have printed wouldst for would. [back] | | |
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