A Pause of Thought.


I LOOKED for that which is not, nor can be,
     And hope deferred made my heart sick, in truth ;
     But years must pass before a hope of youth
                    Is resigned utterly.

I watched and waited with a steadfast will :
     And, tho' the object seemed to flee away
 That I so longed for, ever, day by day,
                    I watched and waited still.

Sometimes I said,--" This thing shall be no more ;
     My expectation wearies, and shall cease ;
     I will resign it now, and be at peace :"--
                    Yet never gave it o'er.

Sometimes I said,--" It is an empty name
     I long for ; to a name why should I give
     The peace of all the days I have to live ?"--
                    Yet gave it all the same.

Alas ! thou foolish one,--alike unfit
     For healthy joy and salutary pain,
     Thou knowest the chase useless, and again
                    Turnest to follow it. 


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Last modified 5/10/95