Long since, we parted in our careless prime, Like summer birds no June shall hasten hither; No more to meet as in that merry time, The sweet spring-time that shone on all together. Some, to the fevered city's toil and grime, And some o'er distant seas, and some- ah! whither? Nay, we shall never meet as in the time, The dear old time when we were all together. And some Ah, couldst thou come to me, Bird that I loved the best! above their heads, in Wail in chimney and tree Year after year, the grasses wave and wither; Leave the dead to their rest. THE ADIEU. SWEET Falsehoods, fare ye well! this fond heart, dear paramours of A cold, unloving bride Is ever at my side Yet who so pure, so beautiful as Long hath she sought my side, Till, all perforce, she won my spiri And though her glances be But hard and stern to me, more. ALONE. A SAD old house by the sea. But to lie, and think of thee LONG AGO. WHEN at eve I sit alone, Thinking on the Past and Gone — Of the hearts chilled through with watching, The eyes that wearily blink, While the clock, with drowsy finger, Through the blinding gale and snow Marks how long the minutes lin ger, And the embers, dimly burning, One by one, I count them o'er, drift, For the Lights of Navesink! "Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say But have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep: But never doleful dreams again O earth, so full of dreary noises! His dews drop mutely on the hill, Ay, men may wonder while they scan -- |