As one who, falling overboard at sea,
Beats with his arms and feet the buoyant surge,
And climbs at length against some rocky brink,
Only beneath exhausted strength to sink.
My cheek bedewed with holy tears in vain,
To love and heaven I vowed a spotless truth:
Too soon the noble tear exhaled again,
Example conquered, and the glow of youth
To live as live one's comrades seems allowed;
He who would be a man, must quit the crowd.