Relentless Time! destroying power Whom stone and brass obey, Who giv'st to every flying hour To work some new decay; Unheard, unheeded, and unseen, Thy secret saps prevail, And ruin Man, a nice machine By Nature form'd to fail. My change arrives; the change I meet, Before I thought it nigh. 10 My spring, my years of pleasure fleet, And all their beauties die. In age I search, and only find A poor unfruitful gain, Grave Wisdom stalking slow behind, Oppress'd with loads of pain. My ignorance could once beguile, And fancied joys inspire; My errors cherish'd hope to smile On newly-born desire. 20 But now experience shows the bliss, For which I fondly sought, Not worth the long impatient wish, And ardour of the thought. My youth met Fortune fair array'd; In all her pomp she shone, And might perhaps have well essay'd To make her gifts my own: But when I saw the blessings shower On some unworthy mind, 30 I left the chase, and own'd the power Was justly painted blind. I pass'd the glories which adorn The splendid courts of kings, And while the persons moved my scorn. I rose to scorn the things. My manhood felt a vigorous fire, By love increased the more; But years with coming years conspire To break the chains I wore. 40 In weakness safe, the sex I see With idle lustre shine; For what are all their joys to me, Which cannot now be mine? But hold--I feel my gout decrease, My troubles laid to rest, And truths which would disturb my peace, Are painful truths at best. Vainly the time I have to roll In sad reflection flies; 50 Ye fondling passions of my soul! Ye sweet deceits! arise. I wisely change the scene within, To things that used to please; In pain, philosophy is spleen, In health, 'tis only ease. * * * * * A NIGHT-PIECE ON DEATH. By the blue taper's trembling light, No more I waste the wakeful night, Intent with endless view to pore The schoolmen and the sages o'er: Their books from wisdom widely stray, Or point at best the longest way. I'll seek a readier path, and go Where wisdom's surely taught below.