Ex Anima.

    The gloomy hours of silence wake
        Remembrance and her train,
    And phantoms through the fancies chase
        The mem'ries that remain;
    And hidden in the dark embrace
        Of days that now are gone,
    I see a form, a fairy form,
        And fancy hurries on!

    I see the old familiar smile,
        I hear the tender tone,
    I greet the softness of the glance
        That cheered me when alone;
    The ruby chains of rich romance
        That bound our bosoms o'er,
    I still can know, I still can feel,
        As they were felt before.

    I name the vows, the fresh young vows,
        That we together said;
    What matters it? She can not know;
        She slumbers with the dead!
    Again the fields of fate I sow,
        As she and I have sown;
    I dream again the same old dreams,
        But I am left alone!

    The twining grasses verdant wreathe
        Above her silent grave;
    The rose and violet over all
        Their purest blossoms wave;
    Unbidden from their fountains fall
        The tender tides of tears;
    A sorrow winds among the days,
        And chains the passing years.

    My life commingles shine with shade,
        The lily with the rose,
    And in my heart a loathsome weed
        Beside each lily grows;
    Through every thought, through every deed,
        The somber shadows play;
    And I am sad, alone and sad,
        And life is never gay.