Oh! for the veils of my far-away youth,
Shielding my heart from the blaze of the truth;
Why did I stray from their foldings and grow
Into the sadness that follows—to know.

Impotent atom with desolate gaze
Treading Life's treacherous, intricate maze—
Oh for the veils, for the veils of my youth,
Shielding my heart from the blaze of the truth!