LAPSE OF YEARS.
Behold the clamorous band, releas'd from school, And, farther on, in yon embowered recess, That fair and blooming creature sweetly deck'd With all the grace of perfect womanhood. Lo, thou hast taken her oft-times in thine arms When but a few brief-moons had o'er her roll'd, And sang to please her, tho' the watchful nurse Was fain to snatch her from thine untaught hand, Fearing thy whisker'd cheek might frighten her. Thou canst not think so many years have fled Since those good times ; and yet as silently As the light snow-flake glide our fleeting days, And,- while we dream their greenness still survives, Amid the remnant of their wither 'd pride, Our steps make sullen echo.
Yet, 'tis weak
To mourn the change that nature writes on man, As heavenly wisdom dictates. Doth the sheaf Look back regretful to its bursting germ ? Or the ripe fruit bemoan the fallen flower ? Why then should man lament his vanish 'd morn ? The day of duty is the day of joy ; Of highest joy, such as the heavens do bless. So, keep perpetual summer in thy soul, And take the spirit's smile along with thee, Even to thy winding-sheet.
Yon lowly roof, Thou know'st it well, and yet it seems more low
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