A Pause Of Thought

I looked for that which is not, nor can be,         And hope deferred made my heart sick in truth:         But years must pass before a hope of youth             Is resigned utterly.     I watched and waited with a steadfast will:         And though the object seemed to flee away         That I so longed for, ever day by day             I watched and waited still.     Sometimes I said: This thing shall be no more;         My expectation wearies and shall cease;         I will resign it now and be at peace:             Yet never gave it o'er.     Sometimes I said: It is an empty name         I long for; to a name why should I give         The peace of all the days I have to live?--             Yet gave it all the same.     Alas, thou foolish one! alike unfit         For healthy joy and salutary pain:         Thou knowest the chase useless, and again             Turnest to follow it.