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NATURE'S FAREWELL.
209
"Under the arch by our mingling made,
Thou and thy brother have gaily play'd;
Ye may meet again where ye roved of yore,
But as ye have met there—oh! never more!"
On rode the youth—and the boughs among,
Thus the free birds o'er his pathway sung:
"Wherefore so fast unto life away?
Thou art leaving for ever thy joy in our lay!
"Thou mayst come to the summer woods again,
And thy heart have no echo to greet their strain;
Afar from the foliage its love will dwell—
A change must pass o'er thee—farewell, farewell!"
On rode the youth:—and the founts and streams
Thus mingled a voice with his joyous dreams:
—"We have been thy playmates through many a day,
Wherefore thus leave us?—oh! yet delay!
