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That which beguiles my loneliness, and takes
Its charm and change from the surrounding scene.
Its charm and change from the surrounding scene.
Oh! how unwelcome often are to me
The gayest, most exhilarating sounds!
When slow and sickly Memory, tempted forth
By dint of soft persuasion, brings to light
His treasures—and, with childish eagerness,
Arranges and collects—then suddenly
To have him startled by discordance, drag,
Without discrimination, all away—
And with them leap to his deep hollow cave—
Not easily to be withdrawn again,
Grieves one who loves to think of other times,
To talk with those long silent in the grave,
And pass from childhood to old age again.
The gayest, most exhilarating sounds!
When slow and sickly Memory, tempted forth
By dint of soft persuasion, brings to light
His treasures—and, with childish eagerness,
Arranges and collects—then suddenly
To have him startled by discordance, drag,
Without discrimination, all away—
And with them leap to his deep hollow cave—
Not easily to be withdrawn again,
Grieves one who loves to think of other times,
To talk with those long silent in the grave,
And pass from childhood to old age again.
Behold this stony rock! whose rifted crest,
Lets the rough, roaring torrent force a way,
And, foaming, pour its waters on the vale!
Lets the rough, roaring torrent force a way,
And, foaming, pour its waters on the vale!
