Tears of Ages come in a stream...

Tears of Ages come in a stream,

Sighs flow in from Life's hoary height,

Souls of Sorrow bring their gleam

Of a light that is but a moan, not a sight.

The gray waves of the Sea of Death

Congeal under the cold Sun of Suffering,

While Time, playing the flute of Fate,

Charms them, snake-like, and doth bring.

Out of a Cave, beyond Lights and Shades

Present's storm,— made stormier by Future's promises,—

To mingle in the Ocean of Death

Like Sleep, yielding to Dream's caresses.