A star of promise to the lonely one!
But, ah! am I deceived? have all my hopes
Been placed on nothing save a shadow bright,
An ignis fatuus, a meteor delusive?
It cannot be, for have I not, since first
That light arose upon my darksome path,
Been guided gently, safely by its rays?
The glory of this bright, resplendent star
Has ne'er been quite shut by lowering skies,
Though intervening clouds have oft obscured,