Thus power and hope were strength ened more and more Within me, till there came upon my mind A sense of loneliness, a thirst with which I pined. VI Alas that love should be a blight and snare To those who seek all sympathies in one ! Such once I sought in vain; then black despair, Although I trod the paths of high intent, I journeyed now: no more com panionless, Where solitude is like despair, I went. There is the wisdom of a stern content When Poverty can blight the just and good, When Infamy dares mock the innocent, And cherished friends turn with the multitude The shadow of a starless night, To trample: this was ours, and we un was thrown shaken stood ! IX Now has descended a serener hour, And, with inconstant fortune, friends return; Though suffering leaves the knowledge and the power Which says "Let scorn be not repaid with scorn." And from thy side two gentle babes are born To fill our home with smiles, and thus are we Most fortunate beneath life's beaming morn: And these delights, and thou, have been to me In thy young wisdom, when the The parents of the Song I consecrate to mortal chain Of Custom thou didst burst and rend in twain, And walk as free as light the clouds among, Which many an envious slave then breathed in vain From his dim dungeon, and my spirit sprung To meet thee from the woes which had begirt it long! VIII No more alone through the world's wilderness, |