And scattered flowers, and blossoms tossed and shaken,

And promises foregone, and trusts forsaken,

Still show men's visions false, but still they cherish

Dreams of the earth, which only lure to perish.

No glow of life, no ante-taste of heaven,

From sordid earth-born thoughts like theirs is given;

But disappointment, with its lagging train

Of blighted prospects, tells that all is vain;

Yet to this earth's allurements fixed, the heart,

Like a wrecked vessel, drifts, without a chart.