Oh, tell me not that this is life,
    The life that now I lead;
The life that wants the light of life
    Is worse than death indeed!
Love is life's light; and, lost that light,
What star can rise on such a night?

I dread the pictures of my dreams,
    For, then I gaze on thee;
And thou art near, and thou art all
    That I would have thee be.
And then I startle from my sleep,
And know all false, and watch and weep.

I would I were upon a bark!
    That bark before the wind;—
I would sail o'er the sea, and leave
    All thoughts of thee behind:—
How very vain! I could not flee
The spell of passion set by Thee.