As round the bark which feels the tempest's shock,
The lightning plays, and shows the fatal rock,
So memory brings our sorrows all to light
With vivid truth presents them to the sight;
Pursues the wretch who else some joy might find,
To fix her seat of empire in his mind.
As desert lakes in sad illusion fly,
Before the weary traveller's cheated eye
So memory shows, those hopes we still would cherish.
Pleased but to fade, allured us but to perish.