As pris'ner doomed for life goes to his work;
Ambitionless it moves, its purpose dead,
Yet ling'ring like 'twere powerless to go;
Struggling 'twixt hope and fear, as thro' the bars
A gleam of sunshine flitters now and then,
Glad'ning the while it shines, to leave more dark
The gloomy dungeon of an unloved life;
Moving, as moves the lifeless rock or ore
When those with life exert o'er it their power;
Living! Ah, yes! But devil never cursed