Oh, ever thus, from childhoods hour, I ve seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower But t was the first to fade away. I never nursd a dear gazelle, To glad me with its soft black eye, But when it came to know me well And love me, it was sure to die.
Alas! how light a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love! Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fall off,