So drinking, I forgot my dream divine

Of crystal purity, for in my hold

Were wealth and Fame and Passions manifold

Which with the draught I fancied might be mine.

"Ah, Youth," I said, "Ah, Faith and Love!" I said;

"These are but broken lances in the strife!

What shall remain when all these things are sped?"

Then crashed the dream. I clutched the hand of Fate

Amid the ruins of my shattered life,

And found the Gods had cheated, all too late.