I counted every transient joy,
That deck’d the gay and blissful season
When I, “a visionary boy,”
Disclaim’d the voice of sober reason.
V
And memory swell’d the alter’d lay
With sounds of sweet, and transient gladness,
They told of pleasure’s fairy sway,
In hours that mock’d intrusive sadness.—
VI
And there was one, in hours gone past,
Whose smile was like the smile of heaven,
When beauty’s brightest hues are cast
Along the dress of summer even.—
VII
It woke, within my youthful breast,
Emotions dear, that never slumber,
They come when all is sunk to rest,
They breathe upon the sadden’d number.
VIII
The strain still lov’d to linger o’er
The mem’ry of our happy meeting,
In childhood’s wild, uncultured bower,
When heart met heart, in tender greeting.