Page:The Poetical Works of William Motherwell, 1849.djvu/238

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154

Change Sweepeth Over All.

Change sweepeth over all!
In showers leaves fall
From the tall forest tree;
On to the sea
Majestic rivers roll,
It is their goal.
Each speeds to perish in man's simple seeming,—
Each disappears;
One common end o'ertakes life's idle dreaming
Dust, darkness, tears!

Day hurries to its close:
The sun that rose
A miracle of light,
Yieldeth to night;[1]
The skirt of one vast pall
O'ershadows all,
Yon firmamental cresset lights forth shining,
Heaven's highest born!


  1. Is captive to night.—MS. copy.