A FAREWELL TO YOUTH.
What though they may vanish, the visions of childhood,
And with them our dreams of the fern-scented wild wood;
And what though the footsteps grow feeble and slow,
As onward, and downward, and upward we go?
And with them our dreams of the fern-scented wild wood;
And what though the footsteps grow feeble and slow,
As onward, and downward, and upward we go?
The sun shines as brightly, the landscape is fair,
As when the light heart knew nor sorrow nor care;
The rose is still fragrant, the robin's song gay,
As once when he carolled life's morning away.
As when the light heart knew nor sorrow nor care;
The rose is still fragrant, the robin's song gay,
As once when he carolled life's morning away.
And nightly, in valley, on hill-top, and tree,
The stars shed their beams, while the land and the sea
Repose in their soft light now, as when at first
Through yon calm azure vault their pure radiance burst.
The stars shed their beams, while the land and the sea
Repose in their soft light now, as when at first
Through yon calm azure vault their pure radiance burst.
