Classic Poem

Its bitterness the heart alone can know, —
The blight, the death of hope, and love, and fame;
The fire that all can dim, and none can tame;
Departed peace, which time can ne'er bestow;
The tender feelings of unsullied years,
When earth and heaven are beautiful and bright,
When nothing dims the eye's serenest light,
And life is fairer seen through innocent tears.
O, who would wear the tedious years away,
That hang around us like a rusted chain,
Clinging the closer each dull, joyless day,
And printing all its links in scars of pain,
O, who can feel this bitterness of heart,
This death-like chill, that curdles all the soul,
This ever-writhing round a venomed dart,
Nor keenly wish to reach life's final goal.