I greet the challenge of the dawn br With weary, bleary eyes; br Into the sky so ashen wan br I wait the sun to rise; br Then in the morning's holy hush, br With heart of shame I hear br A robin from a lilac bush br Pipe pure and clear. br br All night in dive and dicing den, br With wantons and with wine br I've squandered on wild, witless men br The fortune that was mine; br The gold my father fought to save br In folly I have spent; br And now to fill a pauper's grave br My steps are bent. br br See! how the sky is amber bright! br The thrushes thrill their glee. br The dew-drops sparkle with delight, br And yonder smiles the sea. br Oh let me plunge to drown the pain br Of love and faith forgot: br Then purged I may return again, br --Or I may not.