GRIEF. N ancient enemy have I, For he never leaveth me, Never gives my soul relief, Never lets my sorrow cease, Pale he is, and sad and stern; Blue and dim the torches burn, Pale and shrunk the roses turn; Many a time with fiery lance, Beats and trembles at his glance : Clad in burning steel is he, For he never leaveth me And one of us must die! I have said," Let ancient sages Charm me from my thoughts of pain !" And I strove to think-in vain! She cannot rid me of my pain. When at last soft sleep comes o'er me, Not in dreams will he depart: And when the same dreary vision Bending o'er me all the while, With his cruel, bitter smile, Ever with me, ever nigh ;— And either he or I must die! Then I said, long time ago, "I will flee to other climes, I will leave mine ancient foe!" Though I wandered far and wide,-Still he followed at my side. And I fled where the blue waters I have been where Nile's broad river Then I fled where snows eternal Where the rosy lightnings gleam, Flashing through the northern sky; I have thought, "If I can gaze For I know that he is nothing As I gazed at him the He more, grew stronger than before! Then I said, " Mine arm is strong, Once I battled with him so Murmuring to myself I said, And, lo!-mine enemy was there! Listen, for my soul is weary, Weary of its endless woe; I have called on one to aid me Strength and hope fail day by day; Some day soon, I know not when, He has wounded me before, But my heart can bear no more; Pray that hour may come to me, Only then shall I be free; Death alone has strength to take me Where my foe can never be; Death, and Death alone, has power To conquer mine old enemy! |