If I Had Known.
If I had known how steep the path of Fame,
How long the weary years of toil and care,
How sharp the sting of poverty, the shame
Of baffled hopes, the bitter, wild dispair
Of prayers unanswered, ever backward thrust
Upon my heart like ashes, dust on dust,
I never would have ventured all alone
To tread the rugged path, if I had known.
If I had known how soon love’s roses fade,
How soon their bloom and beauty know eclipse,
A cluster o’er my heart I had not laid,
Nor touched the fragrant blossoms with my lips,
And my poor heart and lips had not been torn
If I had known love’s rose concealed a thorn,
Which rankled sore long after Love had flown,
I had not suffered so, if I had known.
If I had known that friendship had a sting,
That smiling lips and eyes could hide deceit,
I had not crowned or worshiped as a king
This poor clay idol, shattered at my feet,
Nor given all my loyal trust to learn
The friend I loved but mocked me in return.
Over its broken hopes my heart makes moan,
I had not trusted so, if I had known.
If I had known, nay heart, why should I mourn?
Better by far I did not know the pain
Fate had allotted me e’er I was born.
And who shall say my life has been in vain?
Life is made up of equal joy and care,
The joy I missed hath been another’s share
And every burden added to my load
Hath eased some other comrade on the road;
And God knew best, before the griefs now flown
My courage would have failed if I had known.