And oft how long, ere the light will burst,

The mists of the valley surround them first!

And oh, how many and many a tomb

Of a dead hope, buried and left in gloom,

Must mark the path of the man whose need

Is taught through failure how to succeed!

And oft how long, ere he knows of this,

Will hard work doom

His heart that in sympathy seeks for bliss

To a life as lone as death in a tomb,