Sonett-Forum

To Dr Dalton

This world so beautiful can not produce
A thing more beauteous than a head of snow,
Or smoothly bald and bright with sunny glow,
That has been busied still in things of use.

The adventurous restlessness of Scottish Bruce
Led him to trace the backward course of Nile;
But I would rather trace that serious smile,
That seems habitual to a lip, not loose,

Nor yet constrain'd; a brow not wrinkled much,
An eye not dimm'd but disciplined by age.
I could not know thee when thou wast the page

Of the young Lady Science, ere the touch
Unfelt of years had worn thy youth away;
I cannot trace thee to thy youthful day.