Ah! Life,-- so purposeless yet steep'd in self,
I do confess thee, yea, I do condemn thee,
So pack'd with pleasure, or so plann'd for pelf,
I do denounce thee, yea, I do contemn thee.

Ah! Life,-- so changeful, yet so dull and tame,
I dread and doubt thee, while I must despise thee,
So lotteried, and still so blank the same,
I wait and hope, despairing while I prize thee.

Ah! Life,-- be better; yet thou hast no crime
Thus to abjure, for still thy will is worthy;
Only thou weepest for the waste of time,
And that thou art too useless and too earthly.

Ah! Life,-- enduringly I watch and wait,
Winter is patient, till the day be lengthen'd,
And well-ripe fruit, delay'd but not too late,
Comes of a root by frosty sorrow strengthen'd.

Yes, Life! in hope, for ever luring on,
I wrestle in the crowd of men and manners,
Assured at last to find thy Battle won,
And Victory fanning me with purple banners.