Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. V. Browning to Rupert Brooke

Lord de Tabley (John Byrne Leicester Warren) (1835–1895)

Sonnet: ‘Rosy delight that changest day by day’

ROSY delight that changest day by day

From dearest growing to a dearer favour,

Whom Thought and Sinew, bondsmen to obey,

Slave out thy least command and may not waver.

My recompense and zenith of reward,

Bourn of all effort, thought behind all thinking,

Regent of sleep and centre of regard

Whereon the wakeful soul will pore unshrinking.

I cannot count the phases of this love,

Measure its growth or vindicate its reason.

I cannot doubt; the very smile that wove

My soul with love withholds me from love’s treason.

I only know thou art my best delight,

Food of sweet thoughts and sum of all things bright.