Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols |
 | I, II, III. |
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CHILDHOOD'S LAUGHTER. |
 | Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems |  |
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CHILDHOOD'S LAUGHTER.
Sweet is happy childhood's laughter,
As the voice of dancing streams,
As the sound of ringing crystal,
As the music heard in dreams!
As the voice of dancing streams,
As the sound of ringing crystal,
As the music heard in dreams!
'Tis their very hearts are singing
In that bounding burst of glee—
All their very souls are laughing—
'Tis a joy to hear and see.
In that bounding burst of glee—
All their very souls are laughing—
'Tis a joy to hear and see.
More than warbling o'er the waters
Of some clear, fine, thrilling voice—
Making air one silvery echo,
Doth that sound the heart rejoice.
Of some clear, fine, thrilling voice—
Making air one silvery echo,
Doth that sound the heart rejoice.
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What a freshness of enjoyment
Through that pealing laughter breaks!
'Tis the eloquence of Nature—
That there exquisitely speaks.
Through that pealing laughter breaks!
'Tis the eloquence of Nature—
That there exquisitely speaks.
Dear are childhood's dancing footsteps,
Beating lightly on the ground;
Evermore in happy hurry—
As some joy were to be found—
Beating lightly on the ground;
Evermore in happy hurry—
As some joy were to be found—
They go springing on, and bounding,
As they trod on very air—
Borne on wings of expectation,
Free from fetters of dull care!—
As they trod on very air—
Borne on wings of expectation,
Free from fetters of dull care!—
Not the Spring rains, sparkling brightly,
The warm air fast glancing through—
Beat the gladdened earth more lightly
Than those bounding footsteps to do!
The warm air fast glancing through—
Beat the gladdened earth more lightly
Than those bounding footsteps to do!
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They dwell doubting not, nor lingering—
Still on some fresh track it starts—
That glad child, whose fluttering footsteps,
Are like Hope's in our fond hearts!
Still on some fresh track it starts—
That glad child, whose fluttering footsteps,
Are like Hope's in our fond hearts!
(Oh! no lingering—no abiding—
All is hurrying movement still,
Like Hope's flight—to whose false presence
All our trembling bosoms thrill!)
All is hurrying movement still,
Like Hope's flight—to whose false presence
All our trembling bosoms thrill!)
Soon, how soon—shall they be trailing
All this world's dire griefs and cares,
After them, on their dull progress,—
Cheer'd by few inspiring airs!
All this world's dire griefs and cares,
After them, on their dull progress,—
Cheer'd by few inspiring airs!
Then, farewell, the fluttering footsteps,
Hurrying lightly here and there;
And farewell, the ringing laughter—
All is changed for doubt and care!
Hurrying lightly here and there;
And farewell, the ringing laughter—
All is changed for doubt and care!
| Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems | |