AN ENCHANTED LAND 



anterior even to that fabled period, the existence 

 of which is vouched for by such oral tradition as 

 is represented by " I've heered tell " a declara- 

 tion often regarded by country-folk as ample 

 evidence of anything and everything, however 

 improbable. 



But, although it is not to be expressed in 

 numerals, there cannot be any reasonable doubt 

 as to when Arcadia was in full bloom. Surely it 

 was in 



" That golden age of childhood's sunny prime, 

 That dear, delightful * Once upon a time.' " 



The moment we attempt any identification later 

 than this, disillusionment sets in and naught 

 remains but " the baseless fabric of a vision." 



So I would counsel all young folk, especially, 

 to stave off as long as possible the parting with 

 their birthright their freehold in the realms of 

 fancy in the " never, never land " of irresponsible 

 nebulousness which leaves everything of any con- 

 sequence to the imagination. The time comes all 

 too soon when the world of matter of fact claims 

 you for its own ; till then wander at your own 

 sweet will in the enchanted land, where one sees 

 visions and dreams dreams. There lies the agri- 

 cultural world of pastoral simplicity and rural 

 contentment depicted by the poets, where with 

 Phyllis or Daphne, Charyllis or Amaryllis, Sylvia 

 or Chloe, or some one equally companionable 



" 'Mid nature's fairest scenes you'll idly rove, 

 And wander hand in hand through field and grove, 

 White fleecy lambkins will around you skip, 

 And shepherds with their shepherdesses trip 

 In sweet contentment to their daily labour. 

 Or dance in unison to pipe and tabour." 



317 



