In visions of the dark night I have dreamed of joy departed, But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
Ah! what is not a dream by day to him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?
That holy dream -that holy dream, while all the world were chiding,hath cheered me as a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.
What though that light, thro' storm and night, so trembled from afar,
What could there be more purely bright In Truth's day-star.