| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | I. A Replication of Rhymes | | By John Hunter |
| | (To James Dodds)
THINE 1 own life too hath reached a Harmony | |
| Of rounder, nobler swell than mine, my friend! | |
| HE is the Hero, whose strong soul can bend | |
| A turbulent nature, panting in the glee | |
| Of young ambition to ascend the hill | 5 |
| Where Worldly Greatness, crowned with power, is seen; | |
| And, conqueror of himself, can seek the green | |
| Low vale where true Peace dwells, and list the trill | |
| Of home-bred joys that sanctify the spot. | |
| Earth’s dazzling meteors for the Torch of Truth | 10 |
| Thou hast exchanged; and for wild dreams of youth | |
| More glorious aims and nobler gifts are given,— | |
| A Soul of power, a well of lofty Thought, | |
| A chastened Hope that ever points to Heaven. | |
| | | Note 1. This is one of the very few English sonnets written on the Italian principle mentioned in the Introductory Essay. [back] | | |
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