64. A Blight

What time my heart unfolded its fresh leaves
In springtime gay, and scatter'd flowers around,
A whisper warn'd of earth's unhealthy ground,
And all that there love's light and pureness grieves;
Sun's ray and canker-worm,
And sudden-whelming storm;—
But, ah! my self-will smiled, nor reck'd the gracious sound.

So now defilement dims life's memory-springs;
I cannot hear an early-cherish'd strain,
But first a joy, and then it brings a pain—
Fear, and self-hate, and vain remorseful stings:
Tears lull my grief to rest,
Not without hope, this breast
May one day lose its load, and youth yet bloom again.

Lazaret, Malta.
January 19, 1833.