Classic Poem

And art thou here again, thou beamy Summer,
And are thy trees again with garlands hung?
Gay birds are welcoming the bright newcomer
As once I welcomed thee when life was young.

No more for me those rainbow garlands wave
I cannot smile to see thee pranked so fine;
'Twere all as well with flow'rs to dress my grave
As weave thy wreath for eyes bedimmed like mine.

I know that joy even in youth's joyous day
Is fresh at morn, by eve a flowret wan;
I know that even in the year's decay
Live hues as fair as those for ever gone.

Ah well I wot for many a heart thy beams
Can but illumine Memory's scene of woe:
That many a Maniac's agonizing dream
Blazes more fiercely in thy ardent glow.

I ask not health nor yet the youthful heart
To view this glowing world in crystal shrined:
I ask but strength to play my passive part
Pow'r to resign those joys with steadfast mind.

Come Patience to my couch with all thy wealth:
No longer then I'll struggle to be free;
For thee I pray without thee what were Health?
Ah why desert who prays for only thee?