How swiftly did they bear him, dashing
Through all youth's fiery heart could dare!
How danced before life's chariot flashing
Bright aërial visions there!
Love in her sweetest beauty gleaming,
Fortune with golden diadem crown'd,
Truth like the glittering sunlight streaming,
Fame with her starry circlet bound!
IX.
Alas! those bright companions guided
Through only half of life's dark way;
All false and fleeting, none abided
With the lone wanderer to stray.
First light, capricious Fortune vanished—
Still love of lore consumed his youth;
But doubt's dark tempest rose and banished
The sun-bright form of radiant Truth.
X.
I saw the sacred crown degraded,
Of Fame, upon a common brow—
And, ah! 'ere yet life's summer faded,
I saw Love's sweetest spring-flowers bow.
And ever silenter, and ever
Lonelier grew the dreary way—
Scarce even could hope, with frail endeavour
Shed o'er the gloom a ghastly ray.
XI.
But who, amid the train false-hearted,
Stayed lovingly with me to roam—
Still from my side remains unparted,
And follows to my last dark home?
Thou, who with joys and sorrows blending,
Thy gentle hand to soothe each wound,
And bear life's burdens, ever lending,
Thou, Friendship, early sought and found.
XII.
And thou, with Friendship wedded ever,
To calm the tempest of the soul—
Exhaustless study! wearying never,
Creating while the ages roll.
Still the world-temple calm uprearing,
Tho' grain on grain thou can'st but lay,
And striking, with a ceaseless daring,
Time's minutes, days, and years away.