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.