LOVE'S MIRAGE

Midway upon the route, he paused athirst

And suddenly across the wastes of heat,

He saw cool waters gleaming, and a sweet

Green oasis upon his vision burst.

A tender dream, long in his bosom nursed,

Spread love's illusive verdure for his feet;

The barren sands changed into golden wheat;

The way grew glad that late had seemed accursed.

She shone, the woman wonder, on his soul;

The garden spot, for which men toil and wait;

The house of rest, that is each heart's demand;

But when, at last, he reached the gleaming goal,

He found, oh, cruel irony of fate,

But desert sun upon the desert sand.