Invoking pity of a pardoning God.

—Thus fled the years away, the cultured glebe

Stirr'd by the vernal plough-share, yielding charms

To Summer, pouring wealth o'er Autumn's breast,

Pausing from weary toil, when Winter comes,

Bringing its Sabbath, as the man of eld

With snow upon his temples, peaceful sits

In his arm-chair, to ruminate and rest.


Once, at that season when the ices shrink