Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress-trees
Who, hopeless, lays his dead read more

Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress-trees
Who, hopeless, lays his dead away,
Nor looks to see the breaking day
Across the mournful marbles play!

Thus repuls'd, our final hope
Is flat despair.

Thus repuls'd, our final hope
Is flat despair.

Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in read more

Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.

Despair ruins some, presumption many.

Despair ruins some, presumption many.

. . . then black despair
The shadow of a starless night, was thrown
Over the world read more

. . . then black despair
The shadow of a starless night, was thrown
Over the world in which I moved alone.

Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings, throw the rest into the fire read more

Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings, throw the rest into the fire for madness. It grows angry with itself, turns its own executioner, and revenges its misfortunes on its own head.

Because I remember, I despair. Because I remember, I have the duty to reject despair.

Because I remember, I despair. Because I remember, I have the duty to reject despair.

It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than read more

It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself.

Night was our friend, our leader was Despair.

Night was our friend, our leader was Despair.