Sonnets II

Weep ye and howl, for that ye did refuse
God's feast of bounties when most largely spread; —
Sunrise and set, and clustering overhead
The nightly stars — for that ye did not choose
To wait on Beauty, all content to lose
The portion of the Spirit's offered bread
With which the humble wise are daily fed,
That grows from yielding things despised their dues.
Therefore your solitary hours unblest
Shall not be peopled with the memories dear
Of field, and church-way path, and runnel clear:
Therefore your fading age shall not be drest
With fresh spring-flowers: because ye did belie
Your noblest life, in sorrow ye shall die.