SONNET.—AGE.
Reading edition
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BY WM. ALEXANDER.
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Brood sombrous clouds above a midnight sea;
Rude, rifted rocks rise round the final shore
Of life’s wide world. Through the thick mist that o’er
The scene spreads sadness, lo! all silently
Glides a lone, wearied, shattered bark along;
Sun, moon and stars are darkened unto him,
Its aged voyager. His eyesight dim,
Nor joy nor pleasure can to him belong—
Ferried fast on by many drooping hours,
Nears he the leaden stream’s wide mouth, at last,
Whose waters wildly roar as run they past
Into eternity’s vast flood. All powers
Fail now to him. With numerous sorrows rife,
Enters he then the haven of immortal life.