A Butterfly Astray in a Dark Room

A Song of Sighing
by James Thomson

1868.

I.

Would some little joy to-day
Visit us, heart!
Could it but a moment stay,
Then depart,
With the flutter of its wings
Stirring sense of brighter things.

II.

Like a butterfly astray
In a dark room;
Telling:—Outside there is day,
Sweet flowers bloom,
Birds are singing, trees are green,
Runnels ripple silver sheen.

III.

Heart! we now have been so long
Sad without change,
Shut in deep from shine and song,
Nor can range;
It would do us good to know
That the world is not all woe.

IV.

Would some little joy to-day
Visit us, heart!
Could it but a moment stay,
Then depart,
With the lustre of its wings
Lighting dreams of happy things,
Oh sad my heart!