CAPRICIOUS foe to human joy, <br />Still varying with the fleeting day; <br />With thee the purest raptures cloy, <br />The fairest prospects fade away; <br />Nor worth, nor pow'r thy wings can bind, <br />All earthly pleasures fly with THEE; <br />Inconstant as the wav'ring wind <br />That plays upon the summer sea. <br /> <br />I court thee not, ungentle guest, <br />For I have e'er been doom'd to find <br />Life's gayest hours but idly drest, <br />With sweets that pall the sick'ning mind: <br />When smiling HOPE with placid mien, <br />Around my couch did fondly play; <br />Too oft thy aëry form I've seen, <br />On DOWNY pinions glide away. <br /> <br />But when, perplex'd with pain or care, <br />My couch with THORNS was scatter'd round; <br />When the pale priestess of DESPAIR <br />My mind in fatal spells had bound; <br />When the dull hours no joy could bring, <br />No bliss my weary fancy prove; <br />I mark'd thy leaden, pond'rous wing, <br />With TARDY pace, unkindly move. <br /> <br />IF SUCH THY GIFTS, O Time! for thee <br />My sated heart shall ne'er repine; <br />I bow content to FATE'S decree, <br />And with thy thorns thy roses twine; <br />Yet e'er thy fickle reign shall end, <br />The balmy sweets of FRIENDSHIP'S hour, <br />I'll with my cup of sorrow blend, <br />And smile, REGARDLESS OF THY POW'R.<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-to-time/
