Classic Poem

All-enlight'ning, all-beholding,
All-transcending star of day!
Why, thy sacred orb enfolding,
Why does darkness veil thy ray?

On thy life-diffusing splendor
These portentous shades that rise,
Vain the strength of mortals render,
Vain the labors of the wise.

Late thy wheels, through ether burning,
Roll'd in unexampled light:
Mortals mourn thy change, returning
In the sable garb of night.

Hear, oh P HoeBUS ! we implore thee,
By O LYMPIAN J OVE divine;
P HoeBUS ! T HEBANS kneel before thee,
Still on T HEBES propitious shine.

On thy darken'd course attending,
Dost thou signs of sorrow bring?
Shall the Summer rains, descending,
Blast the promise of the S PRING ?

Or shall W AR , in evil season,
Spread unbounded ruin round?
Or the baleful hand of T REASON
Our domestic joys confound?

By the bursting torrent's power,
Shall our rip'ning fields be lost?
Shall the air with snow-storms lower,
Or the soil be bound in frost?

Or shall ocean's waves stupendous,
Unresisted, unconfin'd,
Once again, with roar tremendous,
Hurl destruction on mankind?