William Robert Spencer (1770–1834)

TOO late I stay’d! forgive the crime,

Unheeded flew the hours.

How noiseless falls the foot of Time,

That only treads on flowers!

What eye with clear account remarks

The ebbing of his glass,

When all its sands are diamond sparks,

That dazzle as they pass?

Ah! who to sober measurement

Time’s happy swiftness brings,

When birds of Paradise have lent

Their plumage for his wings?