To Laura In Death. Sonnet XXVII.

Soleano i miei pensier soavemente.     HE COMFORTS HIMSELF WITH THE HOPE THAT SHE HEARS HIM.         My thoughts in fair alliance and array     Hold converse on the theme which most endears:     Pity approaches and repents delay:     E'en now she speaks of us, or hopes, or fears.     Since the last day, the terrible hour when Fate     This present life of her fair being reft,     From heaven she sees, and hears, and feels our state:     No other hope than this to me is left.     O fairest miracle! most fortunate mind!     O unexampled beauty, stately, rare!     Whence lent too late, too soon, alas! rejoin'd.     Hers is the crown and palm of good deeds there,     Who to the world so eminent and clear     Made her great virtue and my passion here.     MACGREGOR.         My thoughts were wont with sentiment so sweet     To meditate their object in my breast--     Perhaps her sympathies my wishes meet     With gentlest pity, seeing me distress'd:     Nor when removed to that her sacred rest     The present life changed for that blest retreat,     Vanish'd in air my former visions fleet,     My hopes, my tears, in vain to her address'd.     O lovely miracle! O favour'd mind!     Beauty beyond example high and rare,     So soon return'd from us to whence it came!     There the immortal wreaths her temples bind;     The sacred palm is hers: on earth so fair     Who shone by her own virtues and my flame.     CAPEL LOFFT.