 | Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) |  |
74
To a CANDLE.
In Imitation of the Numbers of Mr. Pope in his Ode on Silence.
I
Thou Candle, faint Resemblance of the Sun,Whose Blaze, like Life, is sudden spent, and gone,
Need I address to thee, and make my Sorrows known?
II
Already thou hast seen my flowing Tears,And been a Witness of my anxious Cares,
Nor art thou Stranger to my Sighs and loanly Pray'rs.
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III
Too well thou know'st how melancholy IHave pass'd the Hours in your Society,
When Nature and her Seed in easy Slumbers lye.
IV
Oft you alone have heard my Muse complain,And tell the Spring and Measure of my Pain,
While these fast failing Eyes demanded Sleep in vain.
V
If e'er a short Respite is granted me.'Tis when I do compare my self with thee,
And in thy dying Light read friendly Sympathy.
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VI
Thy Flame's an Emblem of the burning Grief,That by degrees consumes my wretched Life;
Thou wastes away with me, while all beside are deaf.
VII
My Fellow Mortals ign'rant of my Woes,On downy Beds enjoy their wish'd Repose,
While thou in Sympathy to ancient nothing goes.
VIII
As my Distresses Signs of Life display,As well as Symptoms of a fast Decay,
Thy Flames do just the like—In living die away.
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IX
Nor is the wondrous Parallel less bright,Betwixt my Case, and your expiring Light,
In this; That both of us prefer the silent Night.
X
When Day's Great Ruler mounts the Hemisphere,No more the Rays of your poor Flames appear,
But lose themselves in Beams more useful as more clear.
XI
My Sorrows thus in Solitude take place,In public I put on a cheerful Face,
Nor dare in sight of Men avouch my mournful Case.
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XII
I see, my Taper, thou makes haste to die,And minds me well, that so 'ere long must I.
O may my Life and Death have like Affinity!
| Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) | |