Farewell, Life! My Senses Swim

Farewell, Life! My senses swim,
And the world is growing dim;
Thronging shadows cloud the light,
Like the advent of the night,-
Colder, colder, colder still,
Upward steals a vapor chill-
Strong the earthy odor grows-
I smell the mould above the rose!

Welcome, Life! the Spirit strives!
Strength returns, and hope revives;
Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn
Fly like shadows at the morn,-
O'er the earth there comes a bloom-
Sunny light for sullen gloom,
Warm perfume for vapor cold-
I smell the rose above the mould!