THE WISHING GATE.*
Wishes, no! I have not one,
Hope’s sweet toil with me is done;
One by one have flitted by,
All the rainbows of the sky.
Not a star could now unfold
Aught I once wished to be told.
What have I to seek of thee?
Not a wish remains for me.
Let the soldier pause to ask,
Honour on his glorious task;
Let the parting sailor crave
A free wild wind across the wave;
Let the maiden pause to frame
Blessings on some treasured name;
Let them breathe their hopes in thee,
Not a wish remains for me.
Not a wish! beat not my heart,
Thou hast bade thy dreams depart;
They have past, but left behind
Weary spirit, wasted mind.
Ah! if this old charm were sooth,
One wish yet might tax its truth;
I would ask, however vain,
Never more to wish again.
* I believe that to this haunted gate, a common superstition is attached, namely, that to wish, and to have that wish fulfilled, is the result of such wish being uttered while passing.
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