Poems: Containing The Restropect, Odes, Elegies, Sonnets, &c.

"Poems: Containing The Restropect, Odes, Elegies, Sonnets, &c." by Robert Lovell, and featuring Robert Southey, is a compilation of poems that captures the essence of late 18th-century thought through a variety of poetic forms. It is a showcase of odes, elegies, and sonnets, the poetry explores timeless themes such as heartfelt love, the beauty found in nature, and the ever-flowing river that is time. The collection opens with "The Retrospect," where the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the bittersweet nature of reflection. The speaker remembers childhood and the freedom of youth, painting a picture of past moments with bright imagery. The poem contrasts the simplicity of the past with the weight of adulthood, feeling nostalgia as he speaks to someone named Ariste. Remembering the past brings about a longing for easier times, carefully blending happiness and sadness as the poet deals with change and memory.