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COTTAGE DAYS
That of kind tones and friendly ways
Almost too natural for praise
Serv’d daily such unstinted fare,
And pillow’d every night my head
On pleasantness remembered,
Must now “Do not forget!” be said!
And you, my human blossoms twain,
My little maid, my little man,
Give me that good-bye kiss again,
And me remember—while you can!
My playtime now is over, and Heart’s-rest
Retain no longer may her random guest.
Nature, farewell! O frolic showers
Free winds, and childish-ey’d Spring flowers,
Wide wings of Heaven undefiled,
Fallows, and airy-headed down,
O, all things simple, all things wild,
Farewell! Once more the scarce-trod track,
The chance good-greeting must I lack;
Must to the thick confusion of the town
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