Full many a noble soul,—he sought it not;

And e’en like brief and barren lightning pass’d

The wayward child of genius. And the songs

Which his wild spirit, in the pride of life,

Had shower’d forth recklessly, as ocean-waves

Fling up their treasures mingled with dark weed,

They died before him;—they were winged seed

Scatter’d afar, and, falling on the rock

Of the world’s heart, had perish’d. One alone,

One fervent, mournful, supplicating strain,