[462] Shakespeare's sonnets are autobiographical: compare Nos. 24, 30, 39, 105, 116.--ED.
[463] Petrarch's were all inspired by his devotion to Laura.--ED.
[464] Tasso's works include two volumes of sonnets, first published in 1581 and 1592.--ED.
[466] For his satire _Disparates na India_, Camöens was banished to Macao in 1556, where he wrote the _Os Lusiadas_, also many sonnets and lyric poems.--ED.
[467] Compare the _Vita Nuova_, _passim_.--ED.
[468] Spenser wrote ninety-two sonnets. From the eightieth sonnet it would seem that the writing of them was a relaxation, after the labour spent upon the _Faërie Queene_. It is to this sonnet that Wordsworth alludes.
After so long a race as I have run Through Faery land, which these six books compile, Give leave to rest me, being half foredone, And gather to myself new breath awhile.--ED.
[469] Milton's twenty-three sonnets were written partly in English, partly in Italian. Compare Wordsworth's sonnet, addressed to him in 1802, beginning:--
Milton, thou should'st be living at this hour.--ED.
Nuns fret not at their convent's narrow room.--ED.
"FAIR PRIME OF LIFE! WERE IT ENOUGH TO GILD"
[Suggested by observation of the way in which a young friend, whom I do not choose to name, misspent his time and misapplied his talents. He took afterwards a better course, and became a useful member of society, respected, I believe, wherever he has been known.--I. F.]
Fair Prime of life! were it enough to gild With ready sunbeams every straggling shower; And, if an unexpected cloud should lower, Swiftly thereon a rainbow arch to build For Fancy's errands,--then, from fields half-tilled 5 Gathering green weeds to mix with poppy flower, Thee might thy Minions crown, and chant thy power, Unpitied by the wise, all censure stilled. Ah! show that worthier honours are thy due; Fair Prime of life! arouse the deeper heart; 10 Confirm the Spirit glorying to pursue Some path of steep ascent and lofty aim; And, if there be a joy that slights the claim Of grateful memory, bid that joy depart.
If the whole weight of what we think and feel, Save only far as thought and feeling blend With action, were as nothing, patriot Friend! From thy remonstrance would be no appeal; But to promote and fortify the weal 5 Of our own Being is her paramount end; A truth which they alone shall comprehend Who shun the mischief which they cannot heal. Peace in these feverish times is sovereign bliss: Here, with no thirst but what the stream can slake, 10 And startled only by the rustling brake, Cool air I breathe; while the unincumbered Mind, By some weak aims at services assigned To gentle Natures, thanks not Heaven amiss.