Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 1.djvu/135

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119

SONNET V.



Hard by the road, where on that little moundThe high grass rustles to the passing breeze,The child of Misery rests her head in peace.Pause there in sadness: that unhallowed groundInshrines what once was Isabel. Sleep on,Sleep on, poor Outcast! lovely was thy cheekAnd thy mild eye was eloquent to speakThe soul of Pity. Pale and woe-begoneSoon did thy fair cheek fade, and thine eye weepThe tear of anguish for the babe unborn,The helpless heir of Poverty and Scorn.She drank the draught that chill'd her soul to sleep.I pause and wipe the big drop from mine eye,Whilst the proud Levite scowls and passes by.1794.