Page:Songs of Russia.djvu/58

 Always the same dim, cheerless, dusty vaults,
 * The same bars darkening all the window-space!

Long ranks of years, that seem like evil dreams
 * In broken sleep, stretch out before my face.

If but one distant sound could here be heard
 * Of life, broad, free, and seething like the main,

It would have stirred me with its mighty strength,
 * And eased the burden of this torturing pain.

No! all around me reigns a deathly hush,
 * Heart-crushing, grave-like; in it nothing stirs

Save now and then the buzzing of a fly,
 * Or in the corridor the clash of spurs.

Bright burden of emotions and of strife,
 * Time of impassioned hope and fancy high,

Of faith in glad days for posterity—
 * Where are you now? Vanished as dreams go by!