(After James Thomson) br As I came through the Valley of Despair, br As I came through the valley, onmy sight, br More awful that the darkness of the night, br Shone glimpses of a Past that had been fair, br And memories of eyes that used to smile, br And wafts of perfume from a vanished isle, br As I came through the valley. br br As I came through the valley I could see, br As I came through the valley, fair and far, br As drowning men look up and see a star, br The fading shore of my lost Used-to-be; br And like an arrow in my heart I heard br The last sad notes of Hope’s expiring bird, br As I came through the valley. br br As I came through the valley desolate, br As I came through the valley, like a beam br Of lurid lightning I beheld a gleam br Of Love’s great eyes that now were full of hate. br Dear God! dear God! I could bear all but that; br But I fell down soul-stricken, dead, thereat, br As I came through the valley.