PREFACE. 



A MIDNIGHT MEDITATION. 



'Tis midnight's solemn hour ! now wide unfurled 



Darkness expands her mantle o'er the world : 



The fire-fly's lamp has ceased its fitful gleam 



The cricket's chirp is hushed ; the boding scream 



Of the grey owl is stilled ; the lofty trees 



Scarce wave their summits to the failing breeze ; 



All nature is at rest, or seems to sleep j 



'Tis thine alone, oh man ! to watch and weep ! 



Thine 'tis to feel thy system's sad decay, 



As flares the taper of thy life away 



Beneath the influence of fell disease : 



Thine 'tis to know the want of mental ease 



Springing from memory of time misspent; 



Of slighted blessings ; deepest discontent, 



And riotous rebellion 'gainst the laws 



Of health, truth, heaven, to win the world's applause ! 



Such was thy course, Eugenio, such thy hardened heart, 



Till mercy spoke, and death unsheathed the dart, 



Twanged his unerring bow, and drove the steel, 



Too deep to be withdrawn, too wide the wound to heal ; 



Yet left of life a feebly glimmering ray, 



Slowly to sink and gently ebb away. 



