To Ruin

written in 1786

All hail! inexorable lord! At whose destruction-breathing word, The mightiest empires fall! Thy cruel, woe-delighted train, The ministers of grief and pain, A sullen welcome, all! With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye, I see each aimed dart; For one has cut my dearest tie, And quivers in my heart. Then low'ring, and pouring, The storm no more I dread; Tho' thick'ning, and black'ning, Round my devoted head. And thou grim Pow'r by life abhorr'd, While life a pleasure can afford, Oh! hear a wretch's pray'r! Nor more I shrink appall'd, afraid; I court, I beg thy friendly aid, To close this scene of care! When shall my soul, in silent peace, Resign life's joyless day - My weary heart is throbbing cease, Cold mould'ring in the clay? No fear more, no tear more, To stain my lifeless face, Enclasped, and grasped, Within thy cold embrace!