Edward Young - Night-Thoughts (1710)

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An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave;
Legions of angels can't confine me there.

Edward Young
Creation sleeps! 'Tis as the general pulse
Of life stood still, and Nature made a pause;
An awful pause! prophetic of her end.

Edward Young
At thirty, man suspects himself a fool;
Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan;
At fifty chides his infamous delay,
Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve;
In all the magnanimity of thought
Resolves, and re-resolves; then dies the same.

Edward Young
'T is elder Scripture, writ by God's own hand,—
Scripture authentic! uncorrupt by man.

Edward Young
Early, bright, transient, chaste as morning dew,
She sparkled, was exhal'd and went to heaven.

Edward Young
Thoughts shut up want air,
And spoil, like bales unopen'd to the sun.

Edward Young
Friendship's the wine of life; but friendship new
(Not such was his) is neither strong nor pure.

Edward Young
Insatiate archer! could not one suffice?
Thy shaft flew thrice, and thrice my peace was slain;
And thrice, ere thrice yon moon had filled her horn.

Edward Young
'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours,
And ask them what report they bore to heaven.

Edward Young
Life's cares are comforts; such by Heav'n design'd;
He that hath none must make them, or be wretched.

Edward Young
Final Ruin fiercely drives
Her plowshare o'er creation.

Edward Young
Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne,
In rayless majesty, now stretches forth
Her leaden scepter o'er a slumbering world.

Edward Young
Woes cluster. Rare are solitary woes;
They love a train, they tread each other's heel.

Edward Young
Pygmies are pygmies still, though percht on Alps;
And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Each man makes his own stature, builds himself.
Virtue alone outbuilds the Pyramids;
Her monuments shall last when Egypt's fall.

Edward Young
Lovely in death the beauteous ruin lay;
And if in death still lovely, lovelier there;
Far lovelier! pity swells the tide of love.

Edward Young
On reason build resolve,
that column of true majesty in man.

Edward Young
A soul without reflection, like a pile
Without inhabitant, to ruin runs.

Edward Young
Much learning shows how little mortals know;
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy.

Edward Young
Time flies, death urges, knells call, Heaven invites,
Hell threatens.

Edward Young
We see time's furrows on another's brow,
And death intrench'd, preparing his assault;
How few themselves in that just mirror see!

Edward Young