The Modern Dunciad :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Sun with mild declining ray,
Proclaims the hour of parting day,
And thro' the dusky plain
The swain his ev'ning carol sings,
And night once more on sable wings,
Resumes her silent reign—

The lover mourns beneath the shade,
For broken vows, and hopes betray'd,
And friendship's cold return:
And where departed merit sleeps,
Affection her lone vigil keeps,
And bathes the laurell'd urn.

Now, while the thoughtless and the gay,
Life's fleeting moments pass away
In festive hall, or bow'r;
Let me, while nightly dews descend,
In silent meditation spend
The solitary hour.

296

Glory to thee, in holy hymn,
Who sitt'st amid the cherubim,
High Lord of heav'n alone!
My God, my Father, and my Friend!
With humble gratitude I bend
Before thine awful throne!

If e'er in deed, in word, or thought,
I've been by passion blindly taught
From virtue's path to steer,
O let me to thy throne repair
With humble penitence and pray'r;
Nor thou refuse to hear.

Incline my heart to wisdom's rule,
And try me in affliction's school,
And teach my erring mind
To know that pleasure, glitt'ring toy,
Yields but a transitory joy,
And leaves a sting behind.

Tho' light'nings flash, and tempests low'r,
He shall outlive the dreadful hour
Who stands in worth secure—
Pure as the current of the rills,
Firm as the everlasting hills,
Shall virtue's self endure.

297

And now, with earthly care opprest,
My Spirit, Father! sinks to rest,
Be thou my guardian Pow'r;
And thro' the silent reign of night,
Let sleep descend in slumbers light,
As saint's expiring hour.