What Has Been Lost Is Lost

Why waste regrets on shattered hopes that beat
Themselves to death against a woman's breast?
Why seek in Arctic fields of snow and sleet
For sunbeams of the Gardens of the Blest?

What has been lost, is lost! and nevermore,
Through all the changes of the unborn years,
That sigh and waste away upon the shore
Of Time, can be recalled by prayers or tears!