Kindly, and joyous, and silvery clear;

But under-tones are in each, that say,—

“It is but a dream; it will melt away!”

I walk with sweet friends in the sunset’s glow;

I listen to music of long ago;

But one thought, like an omen, breathes faint through the lay,—

“It is but a dream; it will melt away!”

I sit by the hearth of my early days;

All the home-faces are met by the blaze,—

And the eyes of the mother shine soft, yet say,