Take this kiss upon the brow

And in parting from you now

Thus much let me avow

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night or in a day



And all that we see or seem,

Is but a dream within a dream



As I stand mid the roar

On a surf tormented shore

I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand

How they creep

Through my fingers to the deep



Oh God! Can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O god! Can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all, is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?



And all that we see or seem,

Is but a dream within a dream



As I stand mid the roar

On a surf tormented shore

I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand

How they creep

Through my fingers to the deep