(For stars have fought their battles, leagued with man), "Who marshals this bright host? enrols their names? Appoints their posts, their marches, and returns, Punctual, at stated periods? who disbands These veteran troops, their final duty done, If e'er disbanded?"--He, whose potent word, 1290 Like the loud trumpet, levied first their powers In Night's inglorious empire, where they slept In beds of darkness: arm'd them with fierce flames, Arranged, and disciplined, and clothed in gold; And call'd them out of chaos to the field, Where now they war with vice and unbelief. O let us join this army! joining these, Will give us hearts intrepid, at that hour, When brighter flames shall cut a darker night; When these strong demonstrations of a God 1300 Shall hide their heads, or tumble from their spheres, And one eternal curtain cover all! Struck at that thought, as new awaked, I lift 1303 A more enlighten'd eye, and read the stars To man still more propitious; and their aid (Though guiltless of idolatry) implore; Nor longer rob them of their noblest name. O ye dividers of my time! ye bright Accountants of my days, and months, and years, In your fair calendar distinctly mark'd! 1310 Since that authentic, radiant register, Though man inspects it not, stands good against him; Since you, and years, roll on, though man stands still; Teach me my days to number, and apply My trembling heart to wisdom; now beyond All shadow of excuse for fooling on. Age smooths our path to prudence; sweeps aside The snares keen appetite and passion spread To catch stray souls; and woe to that grey head, Whose folly would undo, what age has done! 1320 Aid then, aid, all ye stars!--Much rather, Thou, Great Artist! Thou, whose finger set aright This exquisite machine, with all its wheels, Though intervolved, exact; and pointing out Life's rapid, and irrevocable flight, With such an index fair, as none can miss, Who lifts an eye, nor sleeps till it is closed. Open mine eye, dread Deity! to read The tacit doctrine of thy works; to see Things as they are, unalter'd through the glass 1330 Of worldly wishes. Time, eternity! ('Tis these, mismeasured, ruin all mankind) Set them before me; let me lay them both In equal scale, and learn their various weight. Let time appear a moment, as it is; And let eternity's full orb, at once, Turn on my soul, and strike it into heaven. 1337 When shall I see far more than charms me now? Gaze on creation's model in thy breast Unveil'd, nor wonder at the transcript more? When this vile, foreign, dust, which smothers all That travel earth's deep vale, shall I shake off? When shall my soul her incarnation quit, And, readopted to thy bless'd embrace, Obtain her apotheosis in Thee?