WHEN, poor in all but hope and love, <br />I clasped thee to my faithful heart; <br />For wealth and fame I vowed to rove, <br />That we might meet no more to part! <br />Years have gone by-long weary years <br />Of toil, to win thee comfort now- <br />Of ardent hopes-of sickening fears- <br />And wealth is mine-but where art thou? <br /> <br />Fame's dazzling dreams, for thy dear sake, <br />Rose brighter than before to me; <br />I clung to all I deemed could make <br />My burning heart more worthy thee. <br />Years have gone by-the laurel droops <br />In mockery o'er my joyless brow : <br />A conquered world before me stoops, <br />And Fame is mine-but where art thou? <br /> <br />In life's first hours, despised and lone, <br />I wandered through the busy crowd; <br />But now that life's best hopes are gone, <br />They greet with pride and murmurs loud. <br />Oh! for thy voice! thy happy voice, <br />To breathe its laughing welcome now; <br />Wealth, fame, and all that should rejoice, <br />To me are vain-for where art thou?<br /><br />Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-poor-in-all-but-hope-and-love/
