 | [Poems by Hoffman in] Charles Fenno Hoffman |  |
[OH CHERISH THEM ALL]
Oh cherish them all—the early ties
That first in youth were wove,
For life, it never in after-time
Can knit such links of love.
You must gather the osiers lithe and young,
If a buckler's frame ye would strongly braid
And the stoutest shield against mortal ill,
From the hearts that are twined in youth is made.
That first in youth were wove,
For life, it never in after-time
Can knit such links of love.
You must gather the osiers lithe and young,
If a buckler's frame ye would strongly braid
And the stoutest shield against mortal ill,
From the hearts that are twined in youth is made.
Oh cherish them all—the flowers of love
That in life's spring put forth,
For age it never, with all its fruits,
Can match them in their worth.
And oh, when over the flood of years
The soul amid drowned joys would roam,
The first best branch on her questing track
Is that which grew in the bower of home.
That in life's spring put forth,
For age it never, with all its fruits,
Can match them in their worth.
And oh, when over the flood of years
307
The first best branch on her questing track
Is that which grew in the bower of home.
| [Poems by Hoffman in] Charles Fenno Hoffman | |