Ah! could I touch it with immortal fire,
And pour the burning melody of song
In one full tide its thrilling chords along.
Alas! from me has fled the power of song,
That once flung its deep crimson sun-like glow
Of promise, o’er my path of life below,
In deep-toned visions, such as not belong
To things of earth, but float with forms of air
In the bright realms of space like houri’s fair.
But see, again what spells around me lour,—