Wailful

I also thought of a line from Keats's "Ode to Autumn": "Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn." ❋ Unknown (2004)

My suggestion is born out by an intertextual reference in Miriam Allott's note to the "wailful choir" of "small gnats" mourning in "To Autumn." ❋ Unknown (2001)

Enter a manly protest against all forms of wrong and injustice, but do not pass your days in wailful lachrymations against the regulations of ❋ Various (N/A)

From behind his wailful voice the gentle knocking was heard running on. ❋ Maurice Henry Hewlett (N/A)

Jud could not see, being down on his knees in the little stream, washing his eyes, but he first heard demoniacal barks proceed from Bonaparte, ending in wailful snorts, howls and whines, beginning at the foot of the tree and echoing in a fast vanishing wail toward home. ❋ John Trotwood Moore (N/A)

There the witch fed her upon milk, and wine dark as a carbuncle, and pomegranates, and purple grapes, and birds that dwell in marshy places; and she played to her mournful tunes, and caused wailful violins to attend her, and told her sad tales, thus holding her ever in an atmosphere of sweet sorrow. ❋ Various (N/A)

Only after creeping quite close to the performers could I discern certain wailful breathings; this brave instrument, all splotched with variegated colours, gave forth a succession of anguished and asthmatic whispers, the very phantom of a song, like the wind sighing through the branches of trees. ❋ Norman Douglas (1910)

One explained to him: "It is a wailful woman seeking her lost child; she has become this forlorn bird". ❋ Donald Alexander Mackenzie (1904)

At night, when he was asleep, his dark-brown friend would raise from some black corner a wild, wailful cry, a song of infinite lowliness and despair, that would go shuddering and sobbing among the buildings of the block and cause people to swear. ❋ Unknown (1901)

The men wavered in indecision for a moment, and then with a long, wailful cry the dilapidated regiment surged forward and began its new journey. ❋ Unknown (1895)

At night, when he was asleep, his dark-brown friend would raise from some black corner a wild, wailful cry, a song of infinite loneliness and despair, that would go shuddering and sobbing among the buildings of the block and cause people to swear. ❋ Stephen Crane (1885)

Danaans, at the limit of the wailful war, but, lo, the other Trojans are driven in flight confusedly, men and horses. ❋ 750? BC-650? BC Homer (1882)

Mr. Durance had prophesied a wailful end ever to the carol of Optimists! ❋ George Meredith (1868)

She was not long coming to the wailful exclamation upon them, both to express her personal sorrow at the disfigurement of our dear ❋ George Meredith (1868)

This maid of the world, who could endure hardships and loss of society for the mistress to whom she was attached, no sooner saw herself surrounded by the comforts befitting her station, than she indulged in the luxury of a wailful dejectedness, the better to appreciate them. ❋ George Meredith (1868)

The packed small room, the caged - monkey lingo, the wailful child, and the past and apprehended debate upon the burning of flesh, composed an intolerable torture. ❋ George Meredith (1868)