The Widower.

Jonnie Comet
from Pamela; or: Virtue Reclaimed.

Man’s not meant to live alone

To till his Soil devoid of Mate;

To know no Charms affectionate

While Life’s long river courses on.

 

For all Life’s fleeting Comedy,

In all its temp’ral Stimuli,

Not one remaining Joy have I;

Not one, save precious Memory.

 

Would thee, O Mem’ry, grant me Peace!

Deliv’rance full to repeal Gloom,

From which that Sleep of dreams may come

From which the Soul might know release.

 

I am no good alone, you see:

My lover’s for Elysian fields

To taste what Fruit that Prospect yields

Across the endless crystal Sea.

- 16 March 1999 

 

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