George Willis Cooke, comp. The Poets of Transcendentalism: An Anthology. 1903.
WeltschmerzJoel Benton (18321911)
T
The prattling voice of joy, the heart of glee,
Have followed not the footsteps of the man;
A world more sorrowful it is that he
Must battle with, and fearlessly explore:
Far fades the gleam of Life’s once purpled sea
When Youth was ours—the Youth that comes no more.
The well-loved voices, hushed and still are they;
Lost halcyon years, with skies of deepest blue,
Dear hearts that vanished some sad yesterday
Leave our life’s journey dark. Alas, how true
This deep World-Sorrow shadows all our way!
Whose silver coast beyond the horizon’s rim
Gleams with sweet promise, they perchance have passed,
Where all is plain which now seems dark and dim;
And when we reach it we shall understand
The mystery—the puzzle real at last—
And find beyond these shadows and shed tears
The perfect joy of Heaven’s untarnished years.