If death should take you by surprise, So that some work unfinished lies; Remember, mortal, ere you fall, Men but complete the best of all. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON THE MARKET CROSS, CARLISLE. Date 1682. ] Like the plough I forward go, Turning life’s furrows, and I show Lines so straight that all will find, I have never looked behind. [Illustration: SUNDIAL, ST. BEAT HAUTES, PYRENEES. ] Watches and clocks can never agree, Though they’re kept for ever in motion; Give up the lot and make use of me, For of change I’ve never a notion. [Illustration: SUNDIAL, 19th CENTURY. ] All circular things were made to go, With smallest friction, I’d have you know; Thus with the time no trouble is found, Since ever it moves so steadily round. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON WARWICK CASTLE. ] It is well written in that book of gold, By Solomon, the wisest man of old, That fathers for their children should make store, And not expect their sons to earn them more. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT WYCLIFF-ON-THE-TEES. ] Far, far away, beyond these realms of time, There shines perpetual day in halls sublime, But here awhile light fails, the shadows fall, Still love divine prevails, with rest for all. [Illustration: SIR ISAAC NEWTON’S SUNDIAL IN COLSTERWORTH CHURCH. ] Reverence my age, Though you hate the truth, That hours soon fly, And so doth youth. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY. ] The brighter the light, The deeper the shade, And man sees aright, How true I am made. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT FOUNTAINHALL, MIDLOTHIAN. ] The gloom of our life’s darkest days, The shadows that appal, Shall fade before the sun’s bright rays, That shine upon us all. [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT GRACECHURCH RECTORY, NEW YORK. ] Hours of sleep and rest remember, I mark for every one, Like trees and plants we keep December, Before a summer’s sun. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON WINGFIELD MANOR. Date 1678. ] Watchman, what of the night? To this I’ve nought to say, But when men ask what of the light? I tell the time of day. [Illustration: SUNDIAL IN THE GROUNDS OF GLAMIS CASTLE, SCOTLAND. ]