LET not that Day in circling Moments run,
When first these Eyes beheld th' odious Sun:
Let his gay Beams forsake the mourning Fields,
And starting backward roll his flaming Wheels;
Let sulphurous Hail descend in baneful Show'rs,
And horrid Darkness mix the jumbling Hours;
Let trembling Mortals gaze in vain for Light,
Curs'd be the Day and doubly curs'd the Night:
Thou my great Judge these Imprecations hear,
And rend her Minutes from the rolling Year;
To the sad Skies be every Star deny'd;
While scorching Plagues on quivering Meteors ride,
Let the black Air no melting Musick know,
But ring with Horror and Complaints of Woe:
Through the grim Shade let grisly Terrors run,
And weeping Sorrows that abhor the Sun:
Let pale-ey'd Spectres burst their yawning Tombs,
And dreadful Echos shake th' hideous Gloom;
The low'ring East pour down a lashing Storm;
Nor through her Gates admit th' struggling Morn:
Let the dark Hours no lively breaking see,
Because they gave these ceaseless Tears to me.