WVA-I watch, and long have watched, with calm regret

I watch, and long have watch'd, with calm regret
Yon slowly-sinking Star--immortal Sire
(So might he seem) of all the glittering quire!
Blue ether still surrounds him--yet--and yet;
But now the horizon's rocky parapet
Is reach'd; where, forfeiting his bright attire,
He burns--transmuted to a sullen fire,
That droops and dwindles; and, the appointed debt
To the flying moments paid, is seen no more.
Angels and gods! we struggle with our fate,
While health, power, glory, pitiably decline,
Depress'd and then extinguish'd: and our state,
In this, how different, lost Star, from thine,
That no to-morrow shall our beams restore!