Sweetbrier Lane.
Dearest of all are the sweet spring flowers1
That come with the sun and rain.2
I was stirred to the depths of my soul to-day3
By the sight of the primrose again.4
It was held in the grasp of a childish hand,5
And its odours, subtle and sweet,6
Were borne on the wings of the gentle wind7
Through the city’s unlovely street ;8
And in thought I was treading the turf again9
In Sweetbrier Lane.10
And the sweet pure air, a vigorous breath,11
Swept down from the green hillside,12
And rustled the myriad leaves of the trees13
That o’ershadow the footpath wide—14
The path that leads to the pasture-gate,15
Where the cattle stand sleek and strong,16
Where the blackbird whistles a low sweet note,17
And the thrush pipes loud and long ;18
And my light heart echoed the glad refrain19
In Sweetbrier Lane.20
The sunbeams chased the shadows along,21
Like merry elves at play ;22
And, decked with flowers, the children trooped—23
Dear living sunbeams they !24
They flutter and dance and laugh and shout,25
They revel the long day through,26
With never a thought of the storms that hide27
The sun and the sky so blue.28
How different life from the city strain29
In Sweetbrier Lane !30
Dear Sweetbrier Lane, so far away !31
’Tis only in dreams I see32
The wondrous beauty that Spring so loves33
To lavish abroad on thee.34
I sigh as I dream of this boyhood’s haunt—35
Of the changes that Time hath wrought ;36
Of the innocence sweet so rudely effaced37
By knowledge so dearly bought ;38
And my song of joy hath a sad refrain,39
Dear Sweetbrier Lane !40