A Pause of Thought
I looked for that which is not, nor can be, And hope deferred made my heart sick, in truth; But years must pass before a hope of youth Is resigned utterly.
I watched and waited with a steadfast will: And, tho' the object seemed to flee away That I so longed for, ever, day by day, I watched and waited still.
Sometimes I said,—“This thing shall be no more; My expectation wearies, and shall cease; I will resign it now, and be at peace:”— Yet never gave it o'er.
Sometimes I said,—“It is an empty name I long for; to a name why should I give The peace of all the days I have to live?”— Yet gave it all the same.
Alas! thou foolish one,—alike unfit For healthy joy and salutary pain, Thou knowest the chase useless, and again Turnest to follow it.