[In Christ'S Hospital Book]

O! mihi praeteritos referat si Jupiter annos!

Oh! might my ill-past hours return again! No more, as then, should Sloth around me throw Her soul-enslaving, leaden chain! No more the precious time would I employ In giddy revels, or in thoughtless joy, A present joy producing future woe.

But o'er the midnight Lamp I'd love to pore, I'd seek with care fair Learning's depths to sound, And gather scientific Lore: Or to mature the embryo thoughts inclin'd, That half-conceiv'd lay struggling in my mind, The cloisters' solitary gloom I'd round.

'Tis vain to wish, for Time has ta'en his flight-- For follies past be ceas'd the fruitless tears: Let follies past to future care incite. Averse maturer judgements to obey Youth owns, with pleasure owns, the Passions' sway, But sage Experience only comes with years.

1789.