Page:Poems Douglas.djvu/189

Hope, like a phantom, but allures
 Our path from wave to wave,
With joys that never can be ours
 On this side of the grave.
As little wanton school-boys try
 Their shadow to outrun,
So we pursue the fleeting joy,
 And end as we began.

Then back, through disappointment's tears,
 On by-past scenes we gaze;
There, in the vale of other years,
 The stream of early days,
Bright as the azure vault above,
 In hallow'd glory lies:
Oh! all is happiness and love
 'Neath young life's sunny skies.