Sonnet to Ingratitude

Read 'Sonnet to Ingratitude' by 'Mary Darby Robinson' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Sonnet to Ingratitude by Mary Darby Robinson

 He that's ungrateful, has no guilt but one;
All other crimes may pass for virtues in him.
- YOUNG. 


I COULD have borne affliction's sharpest thorn;
The sting of malice­poverty's deep wound;
The sneers of vulgar pride, the idiot's scorn;
Neglected Love, false Friendship's treach'rous sound; 

I could, with patient smile, extract the dart 
Base calumny had planted in my heart; 
The fangs of envy; agonizing pain; 
ALL, ALL, nor should my steady soul complain: 

E'en had relentless FATE, with cruel pow'r,
Darken'd the sunshine of each youthful day;
While from my path she snatch'd each transient flow'r.
Not one soft sigh my sorrow should betray;
But where INGRATITUDE'S fell poisons pour,
HOPE shrinks subdued­and LIFE'S BEST JOYS DECAY.

Form: Sonnet

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