23
Among the boasted joys of youth,
Fair friendship's form has met my view,
And fondly I retun'd her smile,
And still believ'd her promise true:
Yet I have felt, but ask me not,
What thus has chang'd my prospect drear,
And what has taught me so to prize
The treasure of a silent tear.
LIFE.
LIFE is like a painted dream,
Like the rapid summer stream,
Like the flashing meteor's ray,
Like the shortest winter's day,
Like the fitful breeze that sighs,
Like the wavering flame that dies,
Darting—dazzling on the eye,
Fading in Eternity.
