COMPOSEDATMIDNIGHT

composedatmidnight

(1797?textof1818)

frombrokenvisionsofperturbedrest

iwake,andstart,andfeartosleepagain.

howtotalaprivationofallsounds,

sights,andfamiliarobjects,man,bird,beast,

herb,tree,orflower,andprodigallightofheaven.

'tweresomerelieftocatchthedrowsycry

ofthemechanicwatchman,orthenoise

ofrevelreelinghomefrommidnightcups.

thosearethemoaningsofthedyingman,

wholiesintheupperchamber;restlessmoans,

andinterruptedonlybyacough

consumptive,torturingthewastedlungs.

sointhebitternessofdeathhelies,

andwaitsinanguishforthemorning'slight.

whatcanthatdoforhim,orwhatrestore?

shorttaste,faintsense,affectingnotices,

andlittleimagesofpleasurespast,

ofhealth,andactivelife—healthnotyetslain,

northeothergraceoflife,agoodname,sold

forsin'sblackwages.onhistediousbed

hewrithes,andturnshimfromtheaccusinglight,

andfindsnocomfortinthesun,butsays

"whennightcomesishallgetalittlerest."

somefewgroansmore,deathcomes,andthereanend.

'tisdarknessandconjectureallbeyond;

weaknaturefears,thoughcharitymusthope,

andfancy,mostlicentiousonsuchthemes

wheredecentreverencewellhadkepthermute,

hatho'er-stock'dhellwithdevils,andbroughtdown,

byherenormousfablingsandmadlies,

discreditonthegospel'sserioustruths

andsalutaryfears.themanofparts,

poet,orprosedeclaimer,onhiscouch

lolling,likeoneindifferent,fabricates

aheavenofgold,wherehe,andsuchashe,

theirheadsencompassedwithcrowns,theirheels

withfinewingsgarlanded,shalltreadthestars

beneaththeirfeet,heaven'spavement,farremoved

fromdamnedspirits,andthetorturingcries

ofmen,hisbreth'ren,fashionedoftheearth,

ashewas,nourish'dwiththeself-samebread,

belikehiskindredorcompanionsonce—

througheverlastingagesnowdivorced,

inchainsandsavagetormentstorepent

shortyearsoffollyonearth.theirgroansunheard

inheav'n,thesaintnorpityfeels,norcare,

forthosethussentenced—pitymightdisturb

thedelicatesenseandmostdivinerepose