Composed at Midnight
Iwake,andstart,andfeartosleepagain.
Howtotalaprivationofallsounds,
Sight,andfamiliarobjects,man,bird,beast,
Herb,tree,orflower,andprodigallightofheaven.
Tweresomerelieftocatchthedrowsycry
Ofthemechanicwatchman,orthenoise
Ofrevelreelinghomefrommidnightcups.
Thosearethemoaningsofthedyingman,
Wholiesintheupperchamber;restlessmoans.
Andinterruptedonlybyacough
Consumptive,torturingthewastedlungs.
Sointhebitternessofdeathhelies,
Andwaitsinanguishforthemorningslight.
Whatcanthatdoforhim,orwhatrestore?
Shorttaste,faintsense,affectingnotices,
Andlittleimagesofpleasurespast,
Ofhealth,andactivelife——healthnotyetslain,
Northeothergraceoflife,agoodname,sold
Forsinsblackwages.Onhistediousbed
Hewrithes,andturnshimfromtheaccusinglight,
Andfindsnofortinthesun,butsays
"WhennightesIshallgetalittlerest."
Somefewgroans,more,deathes,andthereanend.
Tisdarknessandconjectureallbeyond;
WeakNaturefears,thoughCharitymusthope,
AndFancy,mostlicentiousonsuchthemes
Wheredecentreverencewillhadkepthermute,
Hathoer-stockdhellwithdevils,andbroughtdown,
Byherenormousfablingsandmadlies,
Discreditonthegospelsserioustruths
Andsalutaryfears.Themanofparts,
Poet,orprosedeclaimer,onhiscouch
Lolling,likeoneindifferent,fabricates
Aheaveofgold,wherehe,andsuchashe,
Theirheadsenpassedwithcrowns,theirheels
Withfinewingsgarlanded,shalltreadthestars
Beneaththeirfeet,heavenspavement,farremoved
Fromdamnedspirits,andthetorturingcries
Ofmen,hisbrethren,fashiondoftheearth,
Ashewasnourishdwiththeself-samebread,
Belikehiskindredorpanionsonce——
Througheverlastingagesnowdivorced,
Inchainsandsavagetormentstorepent
Shortyearsoffollyonearth.Theirgroansunheard
Inheavn,thesaintnorpityfeels,norcare,
Forthosethussentenced——pitymightdisturb
Thedelicatesenseandmostdivinerepose
Ofspiritsangelical.BlessedbeGod,
ThemeasureofHisjudgmentsisnotfixd
Bymanserroneousstandard.Hediscerns
Nosuchinordinatedifferenceandvast
Betwixtthesinnerandthesaint,todoom
Suchdisproportiondfates.ComparedwithHim,
Nomanonearthisholycalld:theybest
StandinHissightapproved,whoatHisfeet
Theirlittlecrownsofvirtuecast,andyield
ToHimofHiswonworksthepraise,Hisdue.