'Twas but a dream! and oh! what are they all, br All the fond visions hope's bright finger traces, br All the fond visions time's dark wing effaces, br But very dreams! but morning buds, that fall br Withered and blighted, long before the night: br Strewing the paths they should have made more bright, br With mournful wreaths, whose light hath past away, br That can return to life and beauty never, br And yet, of whom it was but yesterday, br We deemed they'd bloom as fresh and fair for ever.