To Pine in a Dungeon

To pine in a dungeon is now my fate

For a crime alas repented too late

And in vain I seek through the iron grate

To sooth my straining wearied eye

As stretched on the cold stone floor I lie

With a glimpse of the ocean, the earth, or sky.

I hear the ocean - whose ceaseless swell

To me of beauty and grandiour tell

It chaunts forth an anthem to the free

And the wild waves answer whisperingly

That hope, blessed hope still remains

To free me some day of my chains.

I long to gaze on the laughing earth

And yet methinks its gay scenes of mirth

Would yet relate how my sorrows took birth

And do nought alas! but sadly recall

Joys once so sweet, now mingled with gall

And life's fair flowers, to one who has lost them all.

O! but for one glimpse of the bright blue sky

For there I would rest my wearied eye

On its glorious sun, and its radiant bow

The morning horizon, the evening glow.

And earth and its sorrows would fade from my sight

If I could but gaze on that world of light.