 | Poems |  |
140
SONNET STANZAS.
On re-perusing, after a long interval, a book that had been a favourite in Childhood.
Wakener of thoughts in youth's sweet spring of life,
Thou hast brought back that time when all was new,
I glance at once long years of turmoil through,
And rest, where all with peace and flowers is rife.
How, as this long-forsaken tome I view,
Sinks into deepest shadow manhood's strife;
And all my childish joys at once renew;
As if each word was magic that I read,
Of power to wake the past, and raise the dead;
Giving the spirit of lost joys so plain,
My worn heart beats with youth's bold pulse again.
Oh volume, potent as that book of dread,
Which, for his Ladye, he of Deloraine,
From wizard Scott, bore with such toil and pain!
Thou hast brought back that time when all was new,
I glance at once long years of turmoil through,
And rest, where all with peace and flowers is rife.
How, as this long-forsaken tome I view,
Sinks into deepest shadow manhood's strife;
And all my childish joys at once renew;
As if each word was magic that I read,
Of power to wake the past, and raise the dead;
Giving the spirit of lost joys so plain,
My worn heart beats with youth's bold pulse again.
141
Which, for his Ladye, he of Deloraine,
From wizard Scott, bore with such toil and pain!
There may be tomes more deep, more rare, more good
Than thou, companion of my childish days;
But thou'rt the first I lov'd and understood!
Thou art the first plung'd me in wonder's maze!
I cling to thee, as early lover should;
Thrill with those feelings thou wert first to raise;
I stray with thee through all past pleasant ways;
Recall the converse we have had together,
Reclin'd on grassy bank, in summer weather,
Or by a winter fire, in antique chair;
And, like a lover gazing on his fair,
I find new beauties out at each fresh gaze.
Let Wisdom frown; she'd try to yield, in vain,
Such joy as from thy simple page I gain!
Than thou, companion of my childish days;
But thou'rt the first I lov'd and understood!
Thou art the first plung'd me in wonder's maze!
I cling to thee, as early lover should;
Thrill with those feelings thou wert first to raise;
I stray with thee through all past pleasant ways;
Recall the converse we have had together,
Reclin'd on grassy bank, in summer weather,
Or by a winter fire, in antique chair;
And, like a lover gazing on his fair,
I find new beauties out at each fresh gaze.
Let Wisdom frown; she'd try to yield, in vain,
Such joy as from thy simple page I gain!
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