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Nugae Canorae

Poems by Charles Lloyd ... Third Edition, with Additions

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LINES ON AN HOUR-GLASS.
  
  
  
  
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114

LINES ON AN HOUR-GLASS.

Addressed to Miss H--- W---

28th Jan. 1808.
When Time doth float on Pleasure's wing,
And hours glide on, allur'd by joy,
Reflection's sigh from thee shall spring,
Thou little monitory toy!
“When anxious care doth ply the loom
Of life, with fingers dull and slow,
Thou shalt remind me that this gloom
Came, and with changeful time will go.”
Thus Harriet whispered as the sand,
Ebbed softly from her hour-glass near:
A faithful friend could not withstand
The occasion for a vow sincere.

115

(For as this toy, the welcome guest
Of buoyant mirth or languid care,
Doth solemn thoughts to one suggest,
And to the other solace bear,—
So she, disinterested friend,
Has smiles for joy, for sorrow sighs;
Though still her inward feelings tend
With sacred grief to sympathize).
“Oh, may no present hour, attired
In gloom, a prayer for change draw forth!
Yet each successive hour, inspired
By hope, exceed the last in worth:
May fancy wreathe around this toy
Blooms stolen from the Elysian clime;
And Peace, the monitor of Joy,
Brood on the tranquil lapse of time!
These sands, that fall in silent showers,
To their first source we turn once more;
May friendship so for thee the hours
Of youth, in distant age restore!”

116

Oh, Harriet, thoughtless of thy power!
And humble, useful glass, like thee,
The highest blessing thou dost shower
Unconscious of thy destiny.
E'en as this toy, that through life's span
The quick illapse of time revealed,
Doth bring prime benefits to man—
Till Time to Eternity doth yield;
So of the virtues' holy train,
Disinterested love shall call
For Heaven's most gratulating strain—
Till self be lost!—God all in all!