Composed at Midnight

Frombrokenvisionsofperturbedrest

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.