Dreams of bliss by reason banish'd,

Early joys that quickly vanish'd,

And the treasured past appears

Only to augment our tears;

When, within itself retreating,

The spirit owns life's joys are fleeting,

Yet, racked with anxious doubts and fears,

Trusts, blindly trusts to future years.

"Oh, this is grief, the preacher saith,--

The world's dark woe that worketh death!