Like One Who, Doomed

Like one who, doomed o’er distant seas
His weary path to measure,
When home at length, with favoring breeze,
He brings the far-sought treasure;

His ship, in sight of shore, goes down,
That shore to which he hasted;
And all the wealth he thought his own
Is o’er the waters wasted!

Like him, this heart, thro’ many a track
Of toil and sorrow straying,
One hope alone brought fondly back,
Its toil and grief repaying.

Like him, alas, I see that ray
Of hope before me perish,
And one dark minute sweep away
What years were given to cherish.