True we are poor, but thou hast never felt

Pangs to thy father for his error dealt;

Pangs from strong hopes of visionary gain,

For ever raised, and ever found in vain.

He rose unhappy from his fruitless schemes,

As guilty wretches from their blissful dreams;

But thou wert then, my son, a playful child,

Wondering at grief, gay, innocent, and wild;

Listening at times to thy poor mother’s sighs

With curious looks and innocent surprise;