7. And his youth did return; for all this was but a dream which visited his slumbers on New Year’s night. He was still young; his faults alone were real. He thanked God fervently that time was still his own; that he had not yet entered the deep, dark cavern, but that he was free to tread the road leading to the peaceful land where sunny harvests wave.
8. Ye who still linger on the threshold[51] of life, doubting which path to choose, remember that, when years are passed, and your feet stumble on the dark mountain, you will cry bitterly[52], but cry in vain, “O youth, return! O, give me back my early days!”
[45] Goal, a post or mark set to bound a race, end.
[46] Stagˊes, steps or degrees of advance or progress.
[47] Viˊsion, an imaginary appearance, as seen in a dream or in sleep.
[48] Isˊsue (Ishˊshu), egress, passage out.
[49] Emˊblem, a picture or object representing one thing to the eye and another to the understanding.
[50] Re-morseˊ, reproach of conscience.
[51] Threshˊold, a door-sill; beginning; entrance.
[52] Bitˊter-ly, sorrowfully.