Glimmerings

simply came. Little strange the journey To impressive prime, Save for ruddy fancy, Free to path and clime. Fancy nigh as busy? Fifteen slowly gone? From a bright-enthronement Five years frowned upon. Whim of adverse dreaming, O the meagre days ! Worth with puny censure All as puny praise. Silly song and sighing, Each poetic fraud To caressed illusions Twenty years applaud. Twenty years persuaded Of attendant flowers Fadeless on a bosom Warm with happy hours. Twenty years?now thirty Beat by beat are o'er, Time aglint or golden At love's open door; Fair as light till troubles Forty years surprise, Spread with sudden shadow Width of azure skies. Troubles that remindful Of disparaged past, Hear the call for pity From it proudly cast. O the voice of childhood! In its highest key Now the strain of gladness, Now of misery. Fifty years?how slowly Years of trial move, Years would lack than losses Lesser sadness prove. As the sun that setteth Why was glory gained ? Gloom if uncontrasted Had not greatly pained. Murmur unto sixty Sifted years unknown; Bounded by its being Joyancy alone Could not when the fondest, When the dearest do The devoted service To affliction due. Twine of thorns, not roses, Yet supremely ta'en Into loyal symbol Of anointed reign. Conscience set to slumber, Thence to sleep nor err; Seen 'mid golden harvest All ungol...