Oh, what delights had we to hold her here,
Most liberal hands would not be shamed to place
Beside the gifts of Death? Her glad New Year
Hath ample grace
All blessing to embrace.

Is learning good? Truth dwells beyond the stars,
Imparadised in beauty. Love is fair?
If fair on earth, where stormy sorrow mars,
How blooms it there,
Within Heaven's halcyon air!

The voyage unventured? While these shallows whelm
Our shore-bound barques, where charts but ill agree
And aspen wills work folly with the helm,
The ocean free
Tides on her argosy.

'Twas life she craved. What frees that harassed fire
From cumbrance of the clay, save Death's defeat
In victory? She hath her heart's desire,
And life is sweet,
Thrilled to diviner heat.