'Heaven lies about us in our infancy.'
Sweet child of fairy land! since first
I dwelt, with tearful eye,
Upon the page that tells thy tale,
Long years have glided by.
Then, in thy fabled history,
No marvel could I see;
For then the worlds of thought and sense
Were fairy lands to me.
The fields and meadows were as bright
As those where thou didst stray; -
And gaily through their tangled flowers,
Like thee I took my way.
And while I walked that sunny path,
Nor doubt nor fear was mine;
For childhood's trustfulness and faith
Are ever strong, like thine.
Alas! that coming years should throw
Dark shadows o'er our way;
And leave us with this aching sense
Of glory passed away.
