On every hostelry a dial you’d see, Could some but have their way throughout this land, Thus clocks within and dials without, surely, “Time, gentlemen,” they’d better understand. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON AN ANCIENT CANNON. ] Man, like a brave ship on the ocean of life, Sets out for a country sublime; And when he has weathered each turbulent strife, He is beached on the sands of time. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT BLEADON, SOMERSET. ] If I fall into decay, Man must note the time of day; And himself the hours must mark, From early dawn until the dark. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT WOODHOUSELEE. ] My dial is a picture rare, On which the lives of all appear; And he who studies me shall know The value of his days below. [Illustration: SUNDIAL IN MALVERN PRIORY CHURCHYARD. ] He who would a fortune show, Must expect some care to know, For the same is never free From wealth men seek incessantly. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT INISCALTRA, OR HOLY ISLE, LOUGH DERG. ] Love like a ring it hath no end, Nor yet the path I daily wend; Time and love do therefore show Eternity to all below. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON AN INN AT ROUGEMONT, SWITZERLAND. ] Every hour improved by thee, Is banked by Father Time, And in future years to be, The Interest is thine. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT MINLEY MANOR. ] Take like me what is given Whose source is in heaven, For all gifts from above Are sent us in love. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON AN OLD HOUSE, SARUM CLOSE, SALISBURY. Date 1749. ] If to-night in peace you’d rest, Let this day know of your best; It is not late to make amends Or to improve the time He sends. [Illustration: SUNDIAL 20th CENTURY. ] Time enough with all if they Would do the day’s work in the day; But men delight to change the year, Upsetting hours as they appear. [Illustration: SUNDIAL, NORTH STOKE, OXFORDSHIRE. ] Our life’s a chain, Which doth comprise, No link the same, In shape or size. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON LAON CATHEDRAL, FRANCE. Date 1748. ]