Hardships and cares, by eager love defied,
Heavy upon my weary spirit pressed,—
The struggle between poverty and pride,—
Ill could my temper bear the bitter test,
Exhausted hope could find no place of rest;
I, for the love of one, had all resigned,
And now my heart in bitterness confessed,
Though faithful love might yet remain behind,
It was no more the light of joy, the sunbeam of the mind.
Yet I content, nay, happy might have proved,