Youth's clear and far horizon
Affords such ample scope,
And we too, had our fairy,
The early fairy–Hope.
We had some thought of changes
Whene'er that future came;
But it was still, in changing,
To find our hearts the same.
I linger o'er those moments
With a true and fond regret—
As we watch the last faint colours
Of a sun that long has set.
No friendships are unselfish
As those which first we knew;
So linked by pleasant memories—
So generous and so true.
The best of those affections
We form in after hours,
Are the faint and chilling perfume
Of the after-growth of flowers.
We have fallen from each other,
Have changed and disagreed;
Our lips are closed and careless,
Of love we have no need.
The world has entered in us,
We doubt where once we dreamed;
We have learnt the bitter lesson,
There is nothing what it seemed.
Oh, lone and silent valley,
Thy loveliness is o'er:
For youth, hope, and affection,
Return to thee no more.
