Despair Lyrics

I am the only being whose doom
No tongue would ask
No eye would mourn
I never caused a thought of gloom
A smile of joy since I was born

In secret pleasure - secret tears
This changeful life has slipped away
As friendless after 18 years
As lone as on my natal day

There have been times I cannot hide
There have been times when this was drear

When my sad soul forgot its pride
And longed for one to love me here

But those were in the early glow
Of feelings since subdued by care
And they have died so long ago
I hardly now believe they were

First melted off the hope of youth
Then fancy's rainbow fast withdrew
And then experience told me truth
In mortal bosoms never grew

There have been times I cannot hide
There have been times when this was drear

When my sad soul forgot its pride
And longed for one to love me here

I am the only being whose doom

(I Am the Only Being by Emily Jane Brontë 1818-1848)