METHOUGHT I STOOD ALONE.
Methought I stood alone upon Life's common,
While all around a desert seemed to me,
And not one star upon it shone, an omen
Of Love and Hope, a beacon-light to be.
Around, above me, whirled the scorching sand,
But no one stretched to me a friendly hand.
While all around a desert seemed to me,
And not one star upon it shone, an omen
Of Love and Hope, a beacon-light to be.
Around, above me, whirled the scorching sand,
But no one stretched to me a friendly hand.
Methought I stood alone, and bitter feeling
Buried the sunshine nesting in my heart,
And hidden thoughts that knew of no revealing,
In other's mirth that would not bear a part;
So cold, so heartless, all appeared around,
That even their laughter had a mocking sound.
Buried the sunshine nesting in my heart,
And hidden thoughts that knew of no revealing,
In other's mirth that would not bear a part;
So cold, so heartless, all appeared around,
That even their laughter had a mocking sound.
A mocking sound, a heartless, and a hollow,
Mocking as Hope, and hollow as the lay
She gayly sings, which we essay to follow,
But feel it pass to nothingness away.
To nothing, or, our last light taking from us,
With "Hope to-morrow!"—what an empty promise!
Mocking as Hope, and hollow as the lay
She gayly sings, which we essay to follow,
But feel it pass to nothingness away.
To nothing, or, our last light taking from us,
With "Hope to-morrow!"—what an empty promise!
Empty indeed! the past is passed forever;
I would not now its vanished hours recall,
For I should feel and see, at each endeavor,
The worthless vanity of each and all.
Childhood its day-dreams has of after glory,
Ne'er to be realized in Life's dull story.
I would not now its vanished hours recall,
For I should feel and see, at each endeavor,
The worthless vanity of each and all.
Childhood its day-dreams has of after glory,
Ne'er to be realized in Life's dull story.
The past is passed, the present has no pleasure
Or happiness, that I could revel in;
The future, it to me can bring no treasure,
No earthly treasure I would care to win.
For this, I thank Thee, Father! who hast given
Me confidence to look to Thee and heaven.
Or happiness, that I could revel in;
The future, it to me can bring no treasure,
No earthly treasure I would care to win.
For this, I thank Thee, Father! who hast given
Me confidence to look to Thee and heaven.
Thine was the hand that was stretched forth to save me
From sinking, when all other aid was past;
Thine was the promise of support, that gave me
Strength to bear up against each threatening blast.
Guide well my bark, as seemeth good to Thee,
Until the appointed summons comes for me!
From sinking, when all other aid was past;
Thine was the promise of support, that gave me
Strength to bear up against each threatening blast.
Guide well my bark, as seemeth good to Thee,
Until the appointed summons comes for me!