  Since thou hast come the world and I have parted, Like chance-met friends whom love has never chained, Away it spins, mad-brained and merry-hearted, While I count o’er what I have lost and gained. My losses are the breath of idle greeting, The siren-song of pleasure, folly’s laugh, Wealth’s patron smile, the pedant’s wit most fleeting, And all that goes to make youth’s epitaph. My gain is thee, who hath removed my blindness, Torn off the mask of sin, stript shame’s disguise, Shown me man’s frailty, taught me gold’s unkindness, And made a very heaven beneath the skies. So do I feel like one from dreams awaking Who laughs at night and all its foolish making. |
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