The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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LXVIII.—INSCRIPTIONS ON DIALS. |
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
LXVIII.—INSCRIPTIONS ON DIALS.
Written on a Sun-dial in a Circle.
Afterwards turned into English.
Thus steal the silent hours away,The sun thus hastes to reach the sea,
And men to mingle with their clay.
Thus light and shade divide the year,
Thus, till the last great day appear,
And shut the starry theatre.
Another.
So slide the hours, so wears the day,These moments, measure life away
With all its trains of hope and fear,
Till shifting scenes of shade and light
Rise to eternal day, or sink in endless night,
Where all is joy or all despair.
On a Ceiling-dial, usually called a Spot-dial, made at a western Window at Theobalds.
Little sun upon the ceiling,Ever moving, ever stealing
Moments, minutes, hours away;
May no shade forbid thy shining,
While the heav'nly sun declining,
Calls us to improve the day.
Another for a Spot-dial.
Shining spot, but ever sliding!Brightest hours have no abiding:
Use the golden moments well:
Life is wasting,
Death is hasting,
Death consigns to heav'n or hell.
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Another.
See the little day-star moving;Life and time are worth improving,
Seize the moments while they stay;
Seize and use them,
Lest you lose them,
And lament the wasted day.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |