Sonnet (Regret has ne'er brought back...)
And sighs are vain for dreams that pass away
Even like themselves; then let me cease to mourn
For those bright visions Time can ne'er return, —
For those warm fancies, aspirations high,
And thoughts that gleamed like rainbows in the sky —
Where are they now those air-built visions strange.
Why should they perish, wherefore should they change ?
Go! seek the wreck upon the sea, or beam
Which played at noon-tide on the summer stream; —
Like light upon the wave, or trace on sea.
Those fancies are but things for Memory;
And henceforth Hope with faithless, meteor ray
Shall never cheat, or lure me from my way. —