Farewell, Life! My senses swim,
And the world is growing dim;
Thronging shadows cloud the light,
Like the advent of the night —
Colder, colder, colder still,
Upward steals a vapor chill —
Strong the earthy odor grows —
I smell the mould above the rose!
Welcome, Life! the Spirit strives!
Strength returns, and hope revives;
Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn
Fly like shadows at the morn —
O’er the earth there comes a bloom —
Sunny light for sullen gloom,
Warm perfume for vapor cold —
smell the rose above the mould!
February 1845.