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He bitterly sighed, while in sentences broken,
He murmured, "Oh, where are those shadows all gone.
That I once hailed with joy, as of bliss a bright token?
Alas! with that bliss and my hopes they are flown.
He murmured, "Oh, where are those shadows all gone.
That I once hailed with joy, as of bliss a bright token?
Alas! with that bliss and my hopes they are flown.
And where are those friends I once tenderly cherished,
Whose kindness made life like a smooth river flow;
The wife of my bosom,—each warm heart has perished;
All, all now have left me,—yes! all are laid low.
Whose kindness made life like a smooth river flow;
The wife of my bosom,—each warm heart has perished;
All, all now have left me,—yes! all are laid low.
My children, as dear as the life-blood that warmed me,
Once fondly I hoped would sooth life's latest day;
Sweet hopes that in earlier days often charmed me,
Like dreams of the morning have faded away.
Once fondly I hoped would sooth life's latest day;
Sweet hopes that in earlier days often charmed me,
Like dreams of the morning have faded away.
All—all that I loved, in the grave now are sleeping,—
I've seen one by one each companion depart;
I have felt the cold hand of old age slowly creeping,
And to feel it thus lonely has broken my heart.
I've seen one by one each companion depart;
I have felt the cold hand of old age slowly creeping,
And to feel it thus lonely has broken my heart.
Then come, gentle slumber of death, now steal o'er me,—
Waft me also where my bright visions are flown;
And let me once more behold those gone before me,
"Oh! who can inhabit this bleak world alone?"
Waft me also where my bright visions are flown;
And let me once more behold those gone before me,
"Oh! who can inhabit this bleak world alone?"
