University of Virginia Library

VII.

My friend! my friend! where art thou? Day by day
Gliding, like some dark mournful stream, away!
My silent youth flows from me. Spring, the while,
Comes and rains beauty on the kindling boughs
Round hall and hamlet; Summer with her smile,
Fills the green forest; young hearts breathe their vows;
Brothers long parted meet; fair children rise
Round the glad board; Hope laughs from loving eyes:
All this is in the world!—These joys lie sown,
The dew of every path. On one alone
Their freshness may not fall—the stricken deer
Dying of thirst with all the waters near.