I Sought Help My Succession To Make

I sought help my succession so to make Before the withering hand of frosty Time Could on my last warm drops descend: But alack! Scare help if any found: At which in protest turned I in full spite To a black jewel common in the day My fair black devil, jewel of ebony Whom others shunned or else With soft calumnious tongue did they descant Or jibe at; or shake their heads or fists So I across the wintry landscape barren found In my poor nakedness and solitaire Not helped by all; my refuge did I find In one black jewel common in the day But when the night under its drapes unfolds Its sleepy antlers of withering Morpheus The jewel black uncommon shines and lights And all the stars and heavens at this rejoice. At which condemned by earth I consolation find in the welcome stars of night.