Age.

When I was young, this narrow round

Of hills a glorious world did bound;

Here, on the quiet valley floor,

I dreamed of Freedom and of Fame,

Ere yet I learned they were no more

Than a vain dream, an empty name;

In that glad careless long ago,

The happy hours seemed all too slow.

I have been wrecked in stormy seas;

Not mine life’s glorious victories;

Gone the bright spell on boyhood cast;

No more along the primrose way

I wander, for my paths have passed

To this sad world of everyday.

Ah, heart of mine, no more we know

The days and dreams of long ago!

Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] One of these sons died since this was written, and left an English wife and family.

[Transcriber’s note—the following changes have been made to this text:

Page 439: than to then—“by then having”.]