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Mary Darby Robinson - Stanzas to Time
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CAPRICIOUS foe to human joy,
  Still varying with the fleeting day;
With thee the purest raptures cloy,
  The fairest prospects fade away;
Nor worth, nor pow`r thy wings can bind,
  All earthly pleasures fly with THEE;
Inconstant as the wav`ring wind
  That plays upon the summer sea. 

I court thee not, ungentle guest,
  For I have e`er been doom`d to find
Life`s gayest hours but idly drest,
  With sweets that pall the sick`ning mind:
When smiling HOPE with placid mien,
  Around my couch did fondly play;
Too oft thy aëry form I`ve seen,
  On DOWNY pinions glide away. 

But when, perplex`d with pain or care,
  My couch with THORNS was scatter`d round;
When the pale priestess of DESPAIR
  My mind in fatal spells had bound; 
When the dull hours no joy could bring,
  No bliss my weary fancy prove;
I mark`d thy leaden, pond`rous wing,
  With TARDY pace, unkindly move. 

IF SUCH THY GIFTS, O Time! for thee
  My sated heart shall ne`er repine;
I bow content to FATE`S decree,
  And with thy thorns thy roses twine;
Yet e`er thy fickle reign shall end,
  The balmy sweets of FRIENDSHIP`S hour,
I`ll with my cup of sorrow blend,
  And smile, REGARDLESS OF THY POW`R.
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