The Lonely Path

Dark roads stretch on, past vision’s sight,

Through lands o’ershadowed, robed in night;

No end of marching, wand’ring on

This dreary path whence light has gone.

Hope somewhere rests ‘neath glitt’ring sun,

Where birds there nest and life’s begun

To spring forth green from hardened ground;

Oh! when may vision such be found?

For tread I on this lifeless way,

Where love is absent, joy’s away

And pain and heartache’s cruelest grasp

Steal ev’ry breath, yea, to the last.