Poems List

A God all mercy is a God unjust.

Night Thoughts. Night IV, l. 233

4

At thirty, a man suspects himself a fool; Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan; At fifty chides his infamous delay, Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve; In all the magnanimity of thought Resolves, and re-resolves; then dies the same.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 417

3

All men think all men mortal but themselves.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 424

4

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 393

2

Be wise today; ’tis madness to defer.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 390

3

Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne, In rayless majesty, now stretches forth Her leaden scepter o’er a slumbering world.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 18

4

Creation sleeps! ’Tis as the general pulse Of life stood still, and Nature made a pause; An awful pause! prophetic of her end.

Night Thoughts. Night I, l. 23

2

In records that defy the tooth of time.

The Statesman’s Creed

4

Tired nature’s sweet restorer, balmy sleep!

Night Thoughts [1742–1745]. Night I, l. 1

3

The man that makes a character makes foes.

To Mr. Pope, epistle I, l. 28

1

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Edward Young was an English poet and literary critic, best known for his ambitious blank verse poem 'The Complaint: or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality,' commonly known as 'Night-Thoughts.' Born in Upham, Hampshire, he was educated at Winchester College and All Souls College, Oxford, where he became a fellow. He pursued a career in the church, eventually becoming rector of Welwyn in Hertfordshire. While Young wrote several other works, including satires and tragedies, 'Night-Thoughts' was his most influential and popular work, profoundly shaping the themes and style of the 'graveyard school' of poetry and influencing European Romanticism. His life was characterized by literary pursuits and clerical duties. He died in 1765 in Welwyn.