ALL hail! inexorable lord! <br />At whose destruction-breathing word, <br />The mightiest empires fall! <br />Thy cruel, woe-delighted train, <br />The ministers of grief and pain, <br />A sullen welcome, all! <br />With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye, <br />I see each aimèd dart; <br />For one has cut my dearest tie, <br />And quivers in my heart. <br />Then low'ring, and pouring, <br />The storm no more I dread; <br />Tho' thick'ning, and black'ning, <br />Round my devoted head. <br /> <br /> <br />And thou grim Pow'r by life abhorr'd, <br />While life a pleasure can afford, <br />Oh! hear a wretch's pray'r! <br />Nor more I shrink appall'd, afraid; <br />I court, I beg thy friendly aid, <br />To close this scene of care! <br />When shall my soul, in silent peace, <br />Resign life's joyless day— <br />My weary heart is throbbing cease, <br />Cold mould'ring in the clay? <br />No fear more, no tear more, <br />To stain my lifeless face, <br />Enclaspèd, and grasped, <br />Within thy cold embrace!<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-ruin-2/
