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VAIN ASPIRATIONS.
Oh! but the misery of this wild, wild woe,
I stand here bound unto this Earth below,
With every thought far soaring, ever higher,
And struggling still yet more and more to aspire!
I stand here bound unto this Earth below,
With every thought far soaring, ever higher,
And struggling still yet more and more to aspire!
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And Oh! it is a misery to remain
Still vexed with aspirations fond and vain—
Thus fettered, thus entrammelled, and confined,
Despite those quick Thought-lightnings of the Mind!
Still vexed with aspirations fond and vain—
Thus fettered, thus entrammelled, and confined,
Despite those quick Thought-lightnings of the Mind!
This strong, strong grief! how few can dream or guess
Its deep impassioned luxury of Distress;
For still it is a noble sorrow—full
Of generous fervours—and nor cold nor dull!
Its deep impassioned luxury of Distress;
For still it is a noble sorrow—full
Of generous fervours—and nor cold nor dull!
The Mind's Thought-lightnings! how they flash on high,
To greet their Sister-Splendours of the Sky—
The mighty glory of each conscious Star—
And leap in ecstacy of life afar!
To greet their Sister-Splendours of the Sky—
The mighty glory of each conscious Star—
And leap in ecstacy of life afar!
But then a breath—a touch—they're stricken down,
And taught their helpless vanity to own!
And Worlds at once are swept from their embrace,
Yet on those Worlds shall they not stamp their trace?
And taught their helpless vanity to own!
And Worlds at once are swept from their embrace,
Yet on those Worlds shall they not stamp their trace?
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