The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/To Ruin
TO RUIN.
All hail! inexorable lord!At whose destruction-breathing wordThe 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 aimèd dart;For one has cut my dearest tie,And quivers in my heart.Then low'ring, and pouring,The storm no more I dread;Tho' thick'ning and black'ningRound my devoted head.
And, thou grim pow'r, by life abhorr'd,While life a pleasure can afford,Oh! hear a wretch's pray'r!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 graspedWithin thy cold embrace!