1.
I looked for that which is not, nor can be,
and hope deferred made my heart sick in truth;
But years must pass before a hope of youth
is resigned utterly.
I watched and waited with a steadfast will:
And thought the object seemed to flee away
That I so longed for; ever, day by day,
I watched and waited still.
Sometimes I said: This thing shall be no more:
My expectation wearies and shall cease;
I will resign it now and be at peace: —
Yet never gave it o’er.
Sometimes I said: It is an empty name
I long for; to a name why should I give
The peace of all the days I have to live?—
Yet gave it all the same.
Alas, thou foolish one! alike unfit
For health joy and salutary pain;
Thou knowest the chase useless, and again
Turnest to follow it.
I looked for that which is not, nor can be,
and hope deferred made my heart sick in truth;
But years must pass before a hope of youth
is resigned utterly.
I watched and waited with a steadfast will:
And thought the object seemed to flee away
That I so longed for; ever, day by day,
I watched and waited still.
Sometimes I said: This thing shall be no more:
My expectation wearies and shall cease;
I will resign it now and be at peace: —
Yet never gave it o’er.
Sometimes I said: It is an empty name
I long for; to a name why should I give
The peace of all the days I have to live?—
Yet gave it all the same.
Alas, thou foolish one! alike unfit
For health joy and salutary pain;
Thou knowest the chase useless, and again
Turnest to follow it.
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