IN A MINOR CHORD

I gave my soul to dreams sense-glorified;

I bathed in bliss-exhaling balm.

I sailed through boundless ether Tyrian-dyed,

And breathed the luscious calm.

Tense were my heart-strings tuned;

And, madly quavering as I sighed,

Their music sadly waxed and wailed — then swooned,

And floated feebly down in ebbing tide.

I gave my soul to battle. I defied

All the unlovable in life;

I could have bartered Heavenly bliss and died

Willingly in the strife!

To elevate mankind,

Mine inward power, I strove to guide;

I harnessed the puissance of the mind,

And toward that end all be magnified!

I gave my soul to dreams sense-glorified

Till sated pleasure sank to pain.

I gave my soul to battle. I defied

The sordid; but in vain —

Still, still, my spirit wept;

Its goal was hopeless, deified.

Oh, would this saddened soul had ever slept

Unborn; for slumber is a painless guide.