University of Virginia Library

Scenes of my youth!

This poem was commenced a few months subsequently to the author's return to his native village, after an absence of nearly three years.

awake its slumbering fire!

Ye winds of Memory, sweep the silent lyre!
Ray of the past, if yet thou canst appear,
Break through the clouds of Fancy's waning year;
Chase from her breast the thin autumnal snow,
If leaf or blossom still is fresh below!