Back,ye Phantoms of the Past;
In your dreary caves remain:
What have I to do with memories Of a long-forgotten pain?
For my Present is all peaceful,And my Future nobly planned:
Long ago Time's mighty billows Swept your footsteps from the sand.
Back into your caves;nor haunt me With your voices full of woe;I have buried grief and sorrow In the depths of Long-ago.
See the glorious clouds of morning Roll away,and clear and bright Shine the rays of cloudless daylight -Wherefore will ye moan of night?
Never shall my heart be burthened With its ancient woe and fears;I can drive them from my presence,I can check these foolish tears.
Back,ye Phantoms;leave,oh leave me To a new and happy lot;Speak no more of things departed;
Leave me--for I know ye not.
Can it be that 'mid my gladness I must ever hear you wail,Of the grief that wrung my spirit,And that made my cheek so pale?
Joy is mine;but your sad voices Murmur ever in mine ear:
Vain is all the Future's promise,While the dreary Past is here.
Vain,oh worse than vain,the Visions That my heart,my life would fill,If the Past's relentless phantoms Call upon me still!
