In visions of the dark night
 I have dreamed of joy departed-
 But a waking dream of life and light
 Hath left me broken-hearted.

 Ah! what is not a dream by day
 To him whose eyes are cast
 On things around him with a ray
 Turned back upon the past?

 That holy dream- that holy dream,
 While all the world were chiding,
 Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
 A lonely spirit guiding.

 What though that light, thro' storm and night,
 So trembled from afar-
 What could there be more purely bright
 In Truth's day-star?