Ballads and Lyrical poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

When I set sail on Life's young voyage,
'Twas upon a stormy sea:
But to cheer me night and day,
Through the perils of the way,
With me went companions three—
Three companions kind and faithful,
True as friend and dear as bride;
Heedless of the stormy weather,
Hand in hand they came together,
Ever smiling at my side.

II

One was Health, my lusty comrade,
Cherry-cheek'd and stout of limb;
Though my board was scant of cheer,
And my drink but water clear,
I was thankful, bless'd with him:
One was mild-eyed Peace of Spirit,
Who, though storms the welkin swept,
Waking gave me calm reliance,
And though tempests howl'd defiance,
Smooth'd my pillow when I slept.

III

One was Hope, my dearest comrade,
Never absent from my breast,
Brightest in the darkest days,
Kindest in the roughest ways,
Dearer far than all the rest.

And though Wealth, nor Fame, nor Station,
Journey'd with me o'er the sea,
Stout of heart, all danger scorning,
Nought cared I in Life's young morning
For their lordly company.

IV

But, alas! ere night has darken'd,
I have lost companions twain;
And the third, with tearful eyes,
Worn and wasted, often flies,
But as oft returns again.
And, instead of those departed,
Spectres twain around me flit;
Pointing each, with shadowy finger,
Nightly at my couch they linger;
Daily at my board they sit.

V

Oh, that I so blindly follow'd
In the hot pursuit of Wealth!
Though I've gain'd the prize of gold,
Eyes are dim, and blood is cold—
I have lost my comrade, Health.
Care instead, the wither'd beldam,
Steals th' enjoyment from my cup:
Hugs me, that I cannot quit her;
Makes my choicest morsels bitter;
Seals the founts of pleasure up.

VI

Woe is me that Fame allured me—
She so false, and I so blind!
Sweet her smiles, but in the chase
I have lost the happy face
Of my comrade Peace of Mind;
And instead, Remorse, pale phantom,
Tracks my feet where'er I go;
All the day I see her scowling,
In my sleep I hear her howling,
Wildly flitting to and fro.

VII

Last of all my dear companions,
Hope! sweet Hope! befriend me yet.
Do not from my side depart,
Do not leave my lonely heart
All to darkness and regret.
Short and sad is now my voyage
O'er this gloom-encompass'd sea,
But not cheerless altogether,
Whatsoe'er the wind and weather,
Will it seem, if bless'd with thee.

VIII

Dim thine eyes are, turning earthwards,
Shadowy pale, and thin thy form:—
Turn'd to Heaven thine eyes grow bright,
All thy form expands in light,
Soft and beautiful and warm.

Look then upwards! lead me heavenwards!
Guide me o'er this dark'ning sea!
Pale Remorse shall fade before me,
And the gloom shall brighten o'er me,
If I have a friend in Thee.