To pine in a dungeon is now my fate
For a crime alas repented too late
And in vain I seek through the iron grate
To sooth my straining wearied eye
As stretched on the cold stone floor I lie
With a glimpse of the ocean, the earth, or sky.

I hear the ocean - whose ceaseless swell
To me of beauty and grandiour tell
It chaunts forth an anthem to the free
And the wild waves answer whisperingly
That hope, blessed hope still remains
To free me some day of my chains.

I long to gaze on the laughing earth
And yet methinks its gay scenes of mirth
Would yet relate how my sorrows took birth
And do nought alas! but sadly recall
Joys once so sweet, now mingled with gall
And life’s fair flowers, to one who has lost them all.

O! but for one glimpse of the bright blue sky
For there I would rest my wearied eye
On its glorious sun, and its radiant bow
The morning horizon, the evening glow.
And earth and its sorrows would fade from my sight
If I could but gaze on that world of light.