An unborn bird lies crumpled and curled,
A-dreaming of the world.
Round it, for castle-wall, a shell
Is guarding it well. Hope is the bird with its dim sensations;
The shell that keeps it alive is Patience.
by Philip FreneauIN youth, gay scenes attract our eyes,
And not suspecting their decay
Life's flow'ry fields before us rise,
Regardless of its winter day.
But vain pursuits, and joys as vain,
Convince us ...