So on my soul, whom cares and troubles fright,

The Muse pours comfort in a flood of light.—

Shine out, fair flood! until the day-star flings

His brighter rays on all sublunar things.

"Why in such haste? by all the powers of wit,

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I have against thee neither bond nor writ.

If thou'rt a poet, now indulge the flight

Of thy fine fancy in this dubious light;

Cold, gloom, and silence shall assist thy rhyme,