We saw thee reflected in lakes of delight;
We launched and pursued thee in vain, far and wide;
We grasped thee a moment and checked thy swift flight;
But with us thou wast not content to abide.
We launched and pursued thee in vain, far and wide;
We grasped thee a moment and checked thy swift flight;
But with us thou wast not content to abide.
Stay! stay! we entreated, but e'en as we plead,
Thou wert slipping away with the dew-pearls of morn;
We cried: "Do not leave us," and lo, thou hast fled!
Was it but to despair, that the spirit was born?
Was it only a dirge that was meant for the song?
Is Happiness only a phantom of air?
Ah! these are the questions perplexing so long
That rise like a surge ere the heart is aware.
Thou wert slipping away with the dew-pearls of morn;
We cried: "Do not leave us," and lo, thou hast fled!
Was it but to despair, that the spirit was born?
Was it only a dirge that was meant for the song?
Is Happiness only a phantom of air?
Ah! these are the questions perplexing so long
That rise like a surge ere the heart is aware.
But hush! there's a sound on the mist's sable wing,
'Tis the voice of true Happiness speaking so low
That only the soul hears the song she would sing,
And only the heart her sweet message can know.
"Come back, vain pursuer of pleasure and peace,
Beware of the hollow allurements of sin,
They blind and deceive you, your woes to increase,
My source is above and my throne is within.
'Tis the voice of true Happiness speaking so low
That only the soul hears the song she would sing,
And only the heart her sweet message can know.
"Come back, vain pursuer of pleasure and peace,
Beware of the hollow allurements of sin,
They blind and deceive you, your woes to increase,
My source is above and my throne is within.
"Above where the angels pluck roses of bliss
And incense is burned on an altar divine,
Within where the heart sinks in sorrow's abyss,
'Till I kindle my fires on its innermost shrine;;
Not all the rich dowry wealth can bestow,
Not all the devotion true friendship can boast,
Not all the gay blossoms ye gather below,
Can bring more than transient enjoyment at most.
And incense is burned on an altar divine,
Within where the heart sinks in sorrow's abyss,
'Till I kindle my fires on its innermost shrine;;
Not all the rich dowry wealth can bestow,
Not all the devotion true friendship can boast,
Not all the gay blossoms ye gather below,
Can bring more than transient enjoyment at most.
"Cease! cease to go groping for toys that will please,
The flame that is quenchless descends from above,
Earth's cold, cruel ways would the warmest heart freeze,
The flame that is quenchless descends from above,
Earth's cold, cruel ways would the warmest heart freeze,
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