I’ve seen a lonely captive find
Sweet solace in his hours of grief,
Yea food for heart, and thought for mind,
In a frail plant—one pale green leaf.
From the damp earth in his lone cell
It sprung to life, sad life awhile,
But there, alas! it could not dwell,
No sunshine shed its cheering smile.
’Twas tended well mid hope and fear,
And watched with all a parent’s care,