Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded

 Has sorrow thy young days shaded, 
As clouds o'er the morning fleet? 
Too fast have those young days faded 
That, even in sorrow, were sweet? 
Does Time with his cold wing wither 
Each feeling that once was dear? -- 
Then, child of misfortune, come hither, 
I'll weep with thee, tear for tear. 

Has love to that soul, so tender, 
Been like our Lagenian mine,
Where sparkles of golden splendour 
All over the surface shine -- 
But, if in pursuit we go deeper, 
Allured by the gleam that shone, 
Ah! false as the dream of the sleeper, 
Like Love, the bright ore is gone. 

Has Hope, like the bird in the story,
That flitted from tree to tree 
With the talisman's glittering glory -- 
Has Hope been that bird to thee? 
On branch after branch alighting, 
The gem did she still display, 
And, when nearest, and most inviting, 
Then waft the fair gem away? 

If thus the young hours have fleeted, 
When sorrow itself look'd bright; 
If thus the fair hope hath cheated, 
That led thee along so light; 
If thus the cold world now wither 
Each feeling that once was dear -- 
Come, child of misfortune, come hither, 
I'll weep with thee, tear for tear.

Form: Lyric Comments

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace