Classic Poem

I HAVE lived, and I have loved,
Have lived and loved in vain;
Some joys, and many woes have proved,
That may not be again;
My heart is cold, my eye is sere,
Joy wins no smile, and grief no tear.

Fain would I hope, if hope I could,
If sure to be deceived,
There's comfort in a thought of good,
Tho' 'tis not quite believed —
For sweet is hope's wild warbled air,
But — Oh — its echo is despair.