Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
II.
[For once I dreamed that mutual love was more]
For once I dreamed that mutual love was moreThan a bright phantom thought; and when mankind
Mocked mine illusion, then did I deplore
Their ignorance, and deem them cold and blind.
And years rolled on, and still I did adore
The unreal image loftily enshrined
In the recesses of mine own sick mind.
Enough; the spell is broke—the dream is o'er,
The enchantment is dissolved—the world appears
The thing it is—a theatre—a mart.
Genius illumines, and the work of art
Renews the wonders of our childhood's years;
Power awes—wealth shines—wit sparkles—but the heart,
The heart is lost, for love no more endears.
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |