A shadow, dark as death, o'er shrouds the beams <br />Of my pale birth-star !-it so long hath hung <br />Between the light of happiness, and me, <br />That I am chill'd with its cold gloominess <br />E'en to the heart. Oh! I have watch'd in vain, <br />With hope's most deep intensity, to catch <br />The bursting forth of but one glorious gleam <br />Of joy's blest sunshine, through that envious veil.- <br />Tis there !-still there !-and will not pass away ! <br />Like the black banner of despair, 'tis spread <br />O'er the dim planet of my destiny !-<br /><br />Eliza Acton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-shadow-dark-as-death/
