[ 286 J 
TIME’S CHANGES. 
THERE was a child, a helpless child, 
Full of vain fears and fancies wild; 
That often wept, and sometimes'smiled, 
‘Upon its mother’s breast ; 
Feebly its meanings stammered out, 
And tottered tremblingly about, 
And knew no wider world without 
Its little home of rest. 
There was a boy, a light-heart boy, 
One whom no troubles could annoy, 
Save some lost sport, or shattered toy 
Forgotten in an hour ; 
No dark remembrance troubled him, 
No future fear his path could dim, 
But joy before his eyes would swim, 
And hope rise like a tower. 
There was a youth, an ardent youth, 
Full of high promise, courage, truth, 
He felt no scathe, he knew no ruth, 
Save love’s sweet wounds alone ; 
He thought but of two soft blue eyes, 
He sought no gain but beauty’s prize, 
And sweeter held love’s saddest sighs 
Than music’s softest tone. 
There was a man, a wary man, 
Whose bosom nursed full many a plan 
For making life’s contracted span 
A path of gain and gold ; 
And how to sow, and how to reap, 
And how to swell his shining heap, 
And how the wealth acquired to keep 
Secure within its fold. 
There was an old, old, grey-haired one, 
On whom had fourscore winters done 
Their work appointed, and had spun 
His thread of life so fine, 
That scarce its thin line could be seen, 
And with the slightest touch, I ween, 
?T would be as it had never been, 
And leave behind no sign, 
And who were they, those five, whom fate 
Seemed as strange contrasts to create, 
That each might in his different state 
The other’s pathways shun ? 
I tell thee that that infant vain, 
That boy, that youth, that man of gain, 
That grey-beard, who did roads attain 
So various—they were one. 
Sa 
