Evening

Evening

Original Text
William Lisle Bowles, Sonnets, written chiefly on picturesque spots during a tour, 2nd edn. (Bath: R. Cruttwell, 1789). D-10 2523 Fisher Rare Book Library
1Evening! as slow thy placid shades descend,
2    Veiling with gentlest hush the landscape still,
3    The lonely battlement, the farthest hill
4And wood, I think of those who have no friend;
5Who now, perhaps, by melancholy led,
6    From the broad blaze of day, where pleasure flaunts,
7    Retiring, wander to the ring-dove's haunts
8Unseen; and watch the tints that o'er thy bed
9Hang lovely; oft to musing Fancy's eye
10    Presenting fairy vales, where the tir'd mind
11    Might rest beyond the murmurs of mankind,
12Nor hear the hourly moans of misery!
13Alas for man! that Hope's fair views the while
14Should smile like you, and perish as they smile!
Publication Start Year
1789
RPO poem Editors
J. D. Robins
RPO Edition
2RP.2.18; RPO 1996-2000.
Form