Sorrow treads heavily, and leaves behind
A deep impression e’en when she departs;
While joy trips by, with steps light as the wind,
And scarcely leaves a trace upon our hearts
Of the faint footfalls, only this is sure —
In this world nought, save suffering can endure.
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Source, in full
"The Dying Year", st. 6, in The Ladies' Garland, vol. 3, no. 50 (Harpers-Ferry, VA, Jan. 20, 1827) p. 200, col. 3. Revised in Sarah Josepha Hale (ed.) The Poet's Offering: for 1850 (Philadelphia: Grigg, Elliot & Co., 1850) p. 497
Notes from Wikiquote
Sorrow treads heavily, and leaves behind
A deep impression, e'en when she departs:
While joy trips by with steps light as the wind,
And scarcely leaves a trace upon our hearts
Of her faint foot-falls: only this is sure,
In this world nought, save misery, can endure.