WHAT time my heart unfolded its fresh leaves In springtime gay, and scatter'd flowers around, A whisper warn'd of earth's unhealthy ground, And all that there love's light and pureness grieves; Sun's ray and canker-worm, And sudden-whelming storm; -- But, ah! my self-will smiled, nor reck'd the gracious sound. So now defilement dims life's memory-springs; I cannot hear an early-cherish'd strain, But first a joy, and then it brings a pain -- Fear, and self-hate, and vain remorseful stings: Tears lull my grief to rest, Not without hope, this breast May one day lose its load, and youth yet bloom again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FRATERNITY by ANNE REEVE ALDRICH LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 1. LORD CRASHTON by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 10. AL-JABBAR by EDWIN ARNOLD CONNECTICUT ROAD SONG by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |