Yet when they reach this cloud-environ’d globe,

These messengers assume a sable robe.

On then, ye years! accelerate your flight;

Ye’ll sooner cross the realm of murky night,

On, on, unresting! till your pinions, riven,

Drop down exhausted in the vault of heaven!

And thou, O Time,

The sage sublime,

Nobly obedient to the King Eternal,

Shalt lay thy silver’d head to peaceful rest,