'Tis now the time to wreathe the brow with branch of myrtle green,Or flowers, just opening to the vernal breeze;Now Faunus claims his sacrifice among the shady treen,Lambkin or kidling, which soe'er he please.Pale Death, impartial, walks his round: he knocks at cottage-gateAnd palace-portal. Sestius, child of bliss!How should a mortal's hopes be long, when short his being's date?Lo here! the fabulous ghosts, the dark abyss,The void of the Plutonian hall, where soon as e'er you go,No more for you shall leap the auspicious dieTo seat you on the throne of wine; no more your breast shall glowFor Lycidas, the star of every eye.What slender youth, besprinkled with perfume,Courts you on roses in some grotto's shade?Fair Pyrrha, say, for whomYour yellow hair you braid,So trim, so simple! Ah! how oft shall heLament that faith can fail, that gods can change,Viewing the rough black seaWith eyes to tempests strange,