
A modest but heartfelt collection of verses, this work opens with a personal epistle to a lady, inviting her—and the listener—into a quiet contemplation of mortality. The poet wrestles with the universal dread of death, contrasting the restless anxiety of youth with the resigned calm of the aged. Through classical allusions and plain language alike, the opening poems ask why we cling to life’s fleeting pleasures even as the end draws near.
The subsequent verses weave together vivid seascapes, somber reflections on guilt, and tender images of friendship and faith. Anchored in a Christian worldview, the poet offers a gentle guide toward acceptance, suggesting that love and resignation can illuminate the darkest moments. Listeners will find a soothing blend of moral inquiry and lyrical comfort, perfect for moments when the mind seeks both honesty and hope.
Full title
Poems on Serious and Sacred Subjects Printed only as Private Tokens of Regard, for the Particular Friends of the Author
Language
en
Duration
~53 minutes (51K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1745–1820
An English poet and man of letters remembered for his warm literary friendships, he is especially known today as the friend and first biographer of William Cowper. His life also crossed paths with major figures of the age, including the artist William Blake, giving his story a wider place in late 18th-century literary culture.
View all books
by William Hayley

by William Hayley

by Rudyard Kipling

by John Milton

by Charles Lamb
by William Shakespeare

by John McCrae