Where Pleasure still will lead to wrong, And helpless Reason warn in vain;And Truth is weak, and Treachery strong;And Joy the surest path to Pain;And Peace, the lethargy of Grief;And Hope, a phantom of the soul;And life, a labour, void and brief;And Death, the despot of the whole!
SYMPATHY.
There should be no despair for you While nightly stars are burning;While evening pours its silent dew, And sunshine gilds the morning.
There should be no despair--though tears May flow down like a river:
Are not the best beloved of years Around your heart for ever?
They weep, you weep, it must be so;Winds sigh as you are sighing, And winter sheds its grief in snow Where Autumn's leaves are lying:
Yet, these revive, and from their fate Your fate cannot be parted:
Then, journey on, if not elate, Still, NEVER broken-hearted!
PLEAD FOR ME.
Oh, thy bright eyes must answer now, When Reason, with a scornful brow, Is mocking at my overthrow!
Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for me And tell why I have chosen thee!
Stern Reason is to judgment come, Arrayed in all her forms of gloom:
Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb?
No, radiant angel, speak and say, Why I did cast the world away.
Why I have persevered to shun The common paths that others run;And on a strange road journeyed on, Heedless, alike of wealth and power--
Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower.
These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine;And they, perchance, heard vows of mine, And saw my offerings on their shrine;But careless gifts are seldom prized, And MINE were worthily despised.
So, with a ready heart, I swore To seek their altar-stone no more;And gave my spirit to adore Thee, ever-present, phantom thing--
My slave, my comrade, and my king.
A slave, because I rule thee still;Incline thee to my changeful will, And make thy influence good or ill: