By Anna Seward

On the fleet streams, the Sun, that late arose,

   In amber radiance plays; the tall young grass

   No foot hath bruised; clear morning, as I pass,

   Breathes the pure gale, that on the blossom blows;

And, as with gold yon green hill’s summit glows,

   The lake inlays the vale with molten glass:

   Now is the year’s soft youth, yet one, alas!

   Cheers not as it was wont; impending woes

Weigh on my heart; the joys, that once were mine,

   Spring leads not back; and those that yet remain

   Fade while she blooms. Each hour more lovely shine

Her crystal beams, and feed her floral train,

   But oh with pale, and warring fires, decline

   Those eyes, whose light my filial hopes sustain.

• Nature

Poet Bio

Born in Derbyshire, British Romantic poet and novelist Anna Seward was the daughter of a clergyman and the only one of four children to reach adulthood. Her close friend, Honora Sneyd, was adopted into the family and served as the muse for many of Seward’s poems. Seward is often referred to as the Swan of Lichfield, and many of her poems are concerned with romantic themes.

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