"the rainy day" by henry longfellow

my life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
it rains, and the wind is never weary;
my thoughts still cling to the mouldering past, but the hopes of the youth fall thick in the blast,
and the days are dark and dreary.
be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
thy fate is the common fate of all, into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and dreary.

*which best you determine a possible meaning for mouldering?

a. the past, which suggests something that has died or is dying

b. the phrase hopes of youth, which suggests inspiration

c. the phrase dark and dreary, which suggests sadness

d. the phrase thick in the blast, which suggests fire or burning