For the prescience of a far-off fear,

Which again and yet again flits by me,

Clouding all the sunshine as I go.

There is manna for the day’s supplying,

There are daily dews and daily balms,

Yet I shrink and shudder to remember

All the desert drought I yet may see.

Past the green oasis fare I, sighing,

Caring not to rest beneath the palms.

All my May is darkened by December,