text:  In those so joyous nights lighted with friendly glee How rang that dear abode with rhyme and merry laughter-- Waking the household gods--how rang each shouting rafter! Then weary of the feast I from the wine-cup turn'd For a new sudden fire within my bosom burn'd And to my lady's bower I flew upon the morrow And found her half in wrath and half in girlish sorrow And with fond threats and tears bedimming her soft eyes She cursed my age still drown'd in ceaseless revelries She drove me from her wept forgave and pouting chided: How sweetly then my time like some bright river glided! Ah why from this calm life in youth's most golden prime Plunged I in this abyss this seething hell of crime Of passions fierce and fell black ignorance and madness Malice and lust of gold! O visionary Gladness! Where hast thou lured me where? And was it then for me A worshipper of love of peace and poesy To brawl with sworders vile wretches who stab for hire! Was it for me to tame the restive courser's fire To shake the rein or wield the mercenary blade! And yet what shall I leave?--A trace that soon shall fade Of blind and senseless zeal; of courage--idle merit!-- Be dumb my voice be dumb! And thou thou lying spirit Thou word thou empty sound