Charles Anderson Dana (1819–1897)

WITH what a deep and ever deeper joy

Upon that hope my life I prided all,

Thoughtless if woe which might that life destroy,

Or Heaven’s own blessedness should thence befall;

Like as a venturous mariner that sails,

To seek those unknown Islands of the Blest;

Heedless that he who on that voyage fails,

Desolate seas and tossing storms must breast,

Till in his agony he gladly hails

The yawning wave that gulfs him down to rest;

So have I ventured thy dear love to gain,

And failing that I fail of all beside.

To my wrecked heart all voices speak in vain,

Duty and Hope, Friendship, and even Pride,

As sad, alone, indifferent, I wait

Invoking the last gloomy stroke of Fate.