University of Virginia Library

THE PLAYFELLOWS.

Far away and long ago,
Long ago and far away,
Seems it now since in the low
Deep valley, shut from rougher weather,
Love, Hope, Joy, and I together
Play'd, ah! many and many a day;
Hid beneath the branching fern,
Hid beneath the blooming heather,
Hiding, seeking, each in turn;
Oh! what games we play'd together!
Till one day, within the dell,
Hope and Joy, together hiding,
Hid so long and hid so well,
We found them not, though keenly chiding;
When we call'd came no replying,
Came a sound of hidden laughter
From the wood's deep heart, and after
Came a sound of secret sighing;
Then a shadow from the hill
Crept, and all grew sudden still;
Gay and green and golden there
Daffodils 'twixt light and shade
Laugh'd, blue periwinkles made
Nets our childish feet to snare;
On us lightly from the bough
Cherry blossoms dropp'd; but now
Through the glen we slowly pass'd,
We knew that we had seen the last
Of Hope and Joy, no more together
Play we there in summer weather.