There is a bleak Desert, where daylight grows weary
Of wasting its smile on a region so dreary —
What may that Desert be?
‘ Tis Life, cheerless Life, where the few joys that come
Are lost, like that daylight, for‘ tis not their home.
There is a lone Pilgrim, before whose faint eyes
The water he pants for but sparkles and flies —
Who may that Pilgrim be?
‘ Tis Man, hapless Man, thro’ this life tempted on
By fair shining hopes, that in shining are gone.
There is a bright Fountain, thro’ that Desert stealing
To pure lips alone its refreshment revealing —
What may that Fountain be?
‘ Tis Truth, holy Truth, that, like springs under ground,
By the gifted of Heaven alone can be found.
There is a fair Spirit whose wand hath the spell
To point where those waters in secrecy dwell —
Who may that Spirit be?
‘ Tis Faith, humble Faith, who hath learned that where'er
Her wand bends to worship the Truth must be there!