The Poetry Corner

Sonnet To George Romney, Esq. On His Picture Of Me In Crayons,

By William Cowper

Drawn at Eartham in the 61st year of my age, and in the months of August and September 1792. Romney, expert infallibly to trace On chart or canvas, not the form alone And semblance, but however faintly shown, The minds impression too on every face With strokes that time ought never to erase, Thou hast so pencilld mine, that though I own The subject worthless, I have never known The artist shining with superior grace. But this I markthat symptoms none of woe In thy incomparable work appear. WellI am satisfied it should be so, Since, on maturer thought, the cause is clear; For in my looks what sorrow couldst thou see When I was Hayleys guest, and sat to thee?