And to the hearthstone where they first drew breath,
Must see them, parted at the appointed bound.
When comes the day of ripeness and the spell
That held them one is broken, soon—ah! soon
The bands seem loosened all, and one by one,
Mature for life's high calling, goeth forth
With many a backward look and secret pang;
Till where but now there stirred a cheerful throng
Reigns the hushed quietness of emptied halls!
'Tis so, O Time, that thy resistless hand
With scene on scene the mortal drama fills.[1]
Alfred and brothers twain too soon are missed
When meet the household band. One burning heart
Hath kindled into generous passionate love
At Learning's shrine, by names illustrious fired
That, shining as bright orbs through ages gone,
Lit up the darkness, and for coming time
Together blended form a milky way
Glorious as that which spans night's ebon vault.
- ↑ Appendix, Note D.
