Classic Poem

On observing an Hour-Glass in a sleepless Night, Dec.22.1715.

Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Lady M ARY I RWIN .

See , in this emblematick Glass,
How swift thy circling Minutes pass:
Ere we can say, this is begun,
Another Minute hurries on;
Another that; still more succeed,
And on each others Footsteps tread.

Such constant Motion, Time does keep,
Whether poor Mortals wake or sleep,
Or sit, or walk, or work, or play,
His steady Course knows no Delay;
And unperceiv'd, Life glides away.
All Things a stated Period have;
All! all must center in the Grave:
The Fool! the Cheat! the Wise! the Just!
Lie undistinguish'd in the Dust:
Our Souls alone survive to be,
Or curs'd, or bless'd eternally.

Oh gracious God! our Strength improve,
Confirm our Faith, increase our Love;
Remit our Sins, direct our Will,
Preserve us from all future ill:
Let Charity our Souls inspire,
And Grace correct each vain Desire.
Oh! make us number out our Days,
That while we tread Life's Thorny-maze,
We keep with Vigilance our Guard,
And mayn't be taken unprepar'd.