A butterfly seeking the flowers and the light,

Of other lands dreaming, of vaster extent;

Scarce a youth, from home and love I took flight,

To wander unheeding, free from doubt or affright—

So in foreign lands were my brightest days spent.

I, when like a languishing bird I was fain

To the home of my fathers and my love to return,

Of a sudden the fierce tempest roar’d amain;

So I saw my wings shatter’d and no home remain,

My trust sold to others and wrecks round me burn.