Mid clouds with heavenly hues o'ercast
⁠Women of virgin lustre shone;
I saw, I touched them, and they pass'd,
⁠And smoke and ashes left alone.

I found the illusion fled; but rife,
⁠Unquench’d desires their longings crave;
I felt the real, I hated life,
⁠And peace believed but in the grave.
And yet I seek, and anxious seek,
⁠For pleasures still I ask and sigh,
And hear dread accents answering speak,
⁠"Unhappy one! despair, and die.

"Die: Life is torment, joy a cheat,
⁠Hope not for good on earth for thee,
But fruitless struggles look to meet
⁠In thy vain longings endlessly!
For so God punishes the soul
⁠That in its madness daresPespy
The unfathom'd secrets of the scroll
⁠Of truth, denied to mortal eye! "

O! cease: no more I ask to know,
⁠No more to see: my soul oppressed
Is humbly bow’d, and prostrate low,