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happiness lost and found.
Were we, afar from world-worn men,
For gaudier pleasures pined:
For I had seen, in dreams at night,
A being lovely as the light,
With eyes like heaven, of changeful blue,
And hair that gleams of gold stole through,
And lips in dimples shrined.
Her name was Happiness, she said;
And soon by blind Ambition led,
I left our lowly love-warm'd shed,
To seek this maiden kind.
For gaudier pleasures pined:
For I had seen, in dreams at night,
A being lovely as the light,
With eyes like heaven, of changeful blue,
And hair that gleams of gold stole through,
And lips in dimples shrined.
Her name was Happiness, she said;
And soon by blind Ambition led,
I left our lowly love-warm'd shed,
To seek this maiden kind.
I sought her far—I sought her wide—
I sought her in the halls of pride;
Her angel smile was still denied,
Where gems less lovely shone.
I ask'd of Fame her fairest crown:—
With mocking laugh she cast it down.
No spell was in the wreath, tho' fair,
To win the maid with golden hair;
And I was all alone.
I ask'd of Wealth his coffers' key:
He smiled, and flung them wide to me,
The glittering treasure, far and free,
I lavish'd.—Soon 'twas flown.
I sought her in the halls of pride;
Her angel smile was still denied,
Where gems less lovely shone.
I ask'd of Fame her fairest crown:—
With mocking laugh she cast it down.
No spell was in the wreath, tho' fair,
To win the maid with golden hair;
And I was all alone.
I ask'd of Wealth his coffers' key:
He smiled, and flung them wide to me,
The glittering treasure, far and free,
I lavish'd.—Soon 'twas flown.
