To Ruin.

I.         All hail! inexorable lord!         At whose destruction-breathing word,             The mightiest empires fall!         Thy cruel, woe-delighted train,         The ministers of grief and pain,             A sullen welcome, all!         With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye,             I see each aimed dart;         For one has cut my dearest tie,             And quivers in my heart.                 Then low'ring and pouring,                     The storm no more I dread;                 Though thick'ning and black'ning,                     Round my devoted head. II.         And thou grim pow'r, by life abhorr'd,         While life a pleasure can afford,             Oh! hear a wretch's prayer!         No more I shrink appall'd, afraid;         I court, I beg thy friendly aid,             To close this scene of care!         When shall my soul, in silent peace,             Resign life's joyless day;         My weary heart its throbbings cease,             Cold mould'ring in the clay?                 No fear more, no tear more,                     To stain my lifeless face;                 Enclasped, and grasped                     Within thy cold embrace!