As some proud vessel to the prosperous gale
Her streamer waves, and spreads the silken sail,
While silver oars to flutes soft breathing sweep
With measur'd strokes the scarcely heaving deep,
But soon tempestuous clouds the scene deform,
And the loud surge remurmurs to the storm;
Thus big with hope, from dark suspicion free,
I sail'd with transport on Life's summer sea;
The gay attendants of my happy state,
The Smiles, the Graces round were seen to wait,
And all the moments, as they swiftly flew,
Shower'd down soft joys, and pleasures ever new.
How chang'd this fleeting image of a day?
How sets in awful gloom the evening ray?
While, fixt on earth her eye in sad suspence,
Pours the deep sigh incessant Penitence.