Heathen mythology, Illustrated by extracts from the most celebrated writers, both ancient and modern

by Various

Can throw a sadness o'er the happiest hour.

Thou comest to the monarch in his hour

Of pomp, and pride, and royalty's array;

And the next victim of thy reckless power

May be the beggar in his hut of clay:

Thy hand can lay the tattered vagrant down

Beside the head that wore the kingly crown.

Childhood is thine, its unexpanded bloom,

Shrinks to decay beneath thy chilling breath;