Season of my purest pleasure, Sealer of observing eyes! When, in larger, freer measure, I can commune with the skies; While, beneath thy shade extended, Weary man forgets his woes, I, my daily trouble ended, Find, in watching, my repose. | Silence all around prevailing, Nature hushed in slumber sweet, No rude noise mine ears assailing, Now my God and I can meet: Universal nature slumbers, And my soul partakes the calm, Breathes her ardour out in numbers, Plaintive song or lofty psalm. | Now my passion, pure and holy, Shines and burns without restraint; Which the day's fatigue and folly Cause to languish, dim and faint: Charming hours of relaxation! How I dread the ascending sun! Surely, idle conversation Is an evil matched by none. | Worldly prate and babble hurt me; Unintelligible prove; Neither teach me nor divert me; I have ears for none but love. Me they rude esteem, and foolish, Hearing my absurd replies; I have neither art's fine polish, Nor the knowledge of the wise. | Simple souls, and unpolluted By conversing with the great, Have a mind and taste ill suited To their dignity and state; All their talking, reading, writing, Are but talents misapplied; Infants' prattle I delight in, Nothing human choose beside. | 'Tis the secret fear of sinning Checks my tongue, or I should say, When I see the night beginning, I am glad of parting day: Love this gentle admonition Whispers soft within my breast; “Choice befits not thy condition, Acquiescence suits thee best.” | Henceforth, the repose and pleasure Night affords me I resign; And thy will shall be the measure, Wisdom infinite! of mine: Wishing is but inclination Quarrelling with thy decrees; Wayward nature finds the occasion— 'Tis her folly and disease. | Night, with its sublime enjoyments, Now no longer will I choose; Nor the day, with its employments, Irksome as they seem, refuse; Lessons of a God's inspiring Neither time nor place impedes; From our wishing and desiring Our unhappiness proceeds. | |