William Anderson Ellis

When young I began my own fortune to seek
In the morning of life so fresh and so gay
Long on the future looked forward so meek.
Long, long I expected a happier day,
I looked but in vain for that happier day
And thought I'd most reached the long looked for prize.
My hopes and effects were both taken away.


And I sank down;  alas,  unexpecting to rise
No more then did hope for a time on me bloom
Doomed ever it seemed for innocent blame
Even friends had proved false; I must sink to the tomb
Repugnantly last like the dressed priest's fame,
Sweet mate of some promise at length seemed to say
On literature pages I yet had a charm;
No friends save a few to look on with pity.


Eternally blest may they yet rise to fame.
Laborious efforts I made full of wages
Long lessons I learned by mind to…
I soon became noted on literature's pages
Since then I've been teaching young ideas to shoot.