116 

 > VERSES. 



Bright thoughts of Lifers golden youth 



Will ye never come again? 

 Can a look of grief not win ye, 



Nor a sound of pain ? 



Like the sunset's dying beauty, 



Thought of in the long — lone night. 



Memory holds your image treasured 

 More than mortal bright. 



Like the well remember tone 



Of some rich and olden measure, 

 Kept within the heart's deep cell 



With a mournful pleasure. 



Swift as colored hues of evening 

 Fade, when darkness shows its pall, 



Ye but mark approaching sadness 

 And are withered all. 



Will ye dwell for ever — ever — 



With the loving and the young ? 

 Have ye not one little blessing 



For the heart with sorrow stung ? 



False friends. Will ye leave the mourners 



For the light laugh's merry tones ? 

 Will ye leave the slave of sadness 



In his grief — alone ? 



Stern cares shadow manhood's way. 



Age is but a name for pain. 

 Youth's sweet hopes and gentle feelings 



Can ye never come again ? 



Z. 



