Poems (Campbell)/Thoughts on a Beautiful Night
THOUGHTS ON A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.
The moon in cloudless majesty, Her silv'ry tresses streaming round,Illumes the gently heaving sea, And dew-drops sparkle on the ground.
Oh! 'tis a night when mis'ry lifts Her streaming eyes from earth-born care;Searching for happiness, and peace, She looks to heav'n, and finds them there.
Deluded mortals vainly hope Immortal joys on earth to find;Eager at airy shadows grasp— But grasp, alas! the empty wind!
Deluded mortals! search no more— Far from your touch the vision flies;In heav'n alone the seraph dwells— Then seek her in the starry skies.
Enthusiast, go! with panting breast, On proffer'd friendship's truth rely,—Thy friend shall wring thy simple heart, And break through ev'ry tender tie.
In early life's unsullied morn, When hope the lover's breast beguiles,How fair the op'ning world appears, How gay each flatt'ring prospect smiles!
But, ah! beware—for broken vows May deeply rend thy feeling soul!Love's barbed arrows rankle there, And anguish rules without controul.
Now man enjoys his sweetest hours, And sunk in soft and calm repose,Kind sleep awhile the curtain draws Of sweet oblivion o'er his woes.
For oft the roseate morning brings A num'rous train of rising ills;And oft the mildly pensive eve The breaking heart with anguish fills.
Come, Morpheus! king of airy dreams, Oh! come, my drowsy eye-lids close;Let me forget each worldly care, And on thy downy breast repose.
For yet no crime my bosom stains, My conscience from remorse is free;—All day disturb'd, oppress'd with cares, I court forgetfulness and thee!