Classic Poem

XI

That's all the Light we now receive,
Unless what belching Vulcans give,
And those yield such a kind of Light
As adds more horror to the Night.

XII

Nyctimine now freed from day,
From sullen Bush flies out to prey,
And does with Feret note proclaim
Th' arrival of th' usurping Dame.

XIII

The Rail now cracks in fields and Meads,
Toads now forsake the Nettle-beds,
The tim'rous Hare goes to relief,
And wary Men bolt out the Theef.

XIV

The Fire's new rak't, and Hearth swept clean
By Madg , the dirty Kitchin-Quean,
The Safe is lock't, the Mouse-trap set,
The Leaven laid, and Bucking wet.

XV

Now in false Floors and Roofs above,
The lustful Cats make ill-tun'd Love,
The Ban-dog on the Dunghil lies,
And watchful Nurse sings Lullabies.

XVI

Philomel chants it whilst she bleeds,
The Bittern booms it in the Reeds,
And Reynard entring the back Yard,
The Capitolian Cry is heard.

XVII

The Goblin now the Fool alarms,
Haggs meet to mumble o're their Charms;
The Night-mare rides the dreaming Ass,
And Fairies trip it on the grass.

XVIII

The Drunkard now supinely snores,
His load of Ale sweats through his Pores,
Yet when he wakes the Swine shall find
A Crapula remains behind.

XIX

The Sober now and Chast are blest
With sweet, and with refreshing rest,
And to sound sleeps they've best pretence,
Have greatest share of Innocence.

XX

We should so live then that we may
Fearless put off our Clotts and Clay,
And travel through Death's shades to Light;
For every Day must have its Night.