“I WATCH, AND LONG HAVE WATCHED, WITH CALM REGRET”
I WATCH, and long have watched, with calm regret Yon slowly-sinking star–immortal Sire (So might he seem) of all the glittering quire! Blue ether still surrounds him–yet–and yet; But now the horizon’s rocky parapet Is reached, where, forfeiting his bright attire, He burns–transmuted to a dusky fire– Then pays submissively the appointed debt To the flying moments, and is seen no more. Angels and gods! We struggle with our fate, 10 While health, power, glory, from their height decline, Depressed; and then extinguished; and our state, In this, how different, lost Star, from thine, That no to-morrow shall our beams restore! 1819.