Now these are gone, these beautiful playfellows,
Gone from the green lawns under my balcony,
Gone, and the house no more, the orchard
Echoes no more to their happy laughter.
How oft I watched them playing, the innocent
Boy friend and girl friend under the cedar-tree,
Till through the soft dusk rose the twinkling
Stars, and the lamps in the lane were shining.
Fair head to dark head leaning and whispering,
Old games and new games, pirates and Indians,