Composed during a walk on the Downs, November 1787
Charlotte Turner Smith
The dark and pillowy cloud, the sallow trees,
Seem o'er the ruins of the year to mourn;
And, cold and hollow, the inconstant breeze
Sobs through the falling leaves and wither'd fern.
O'er the tall brow of yonder chalky bourn,
The evening shades their gather'd darkness fling,
While, by the lingering light, I scarce discern
The shrieking night-jar sail on heavy wing.
Ah! yet a little-and propitious spring
Crown'd with fresh flowers shall wake the woodland strain;
But no gay change revolving seasons bring
To call forth pleasure from the soul of pain;
Bid Syren Hope resume her long-lost part,
And chase the vulture Care-that feeds upon the heart.
The poet Charlotte Turner Smith spent much of her childhood in West Sussex, at Bignor, in the South Downs. Later in life, after separating from her abusive husband, she returned to live in Sussex, first in Brighton and then later in West Sussex, near Chichester.
