Why Art Thou Sad at the Approach of Night

Why art thou sad at the approach of night,
My melancholy soul?
Should not obscurity and cheerful light
After each other roll1
?

For, as sad gloomy shades doth follow light,
So after life we die;
But death at last is conquered quite:
O happy victory.

There’s nothing like day’s dissolution
Within my mind so rife2
;
Methinks ’tis like the revolution
Of life and death and life.

Come, cruel Lachesis and Clotho3
 both,
Come, show your utmost4
 spite:
Methinks you twirl and twist5
 as loath
To come and do me right.

For, seeing the voice of nature doth rehearse6
That revolution
Is the preserving of the universe
From dissolution,

What need I care, then, when I do expire,
Although I turn to dust7
,
Seeing total nature still is kept entire,
In all her actions just?

Then let Erinys and her cursed train8
Scare those that fear their might;
Their blazing brands and vipers vain9
Shall me no more affright.

29For I as gladly in my quiet grave

30Will lay me down to rest

31As in the finest downy bed I have,

32In

causes10

all sleep best.