“ Still remembering, wandering on,1
Vanished days of love I crave,2
Sweetest dreams my heart has known,—3
I can only find your grave.4
“ Though each year we fade and falter,5
Our young loves no ageing know,6
As that child’s face cannot alter7
Which we wept o’er long ago.8
“ Let us lift the lids close-pressing9
On our dear ones’ languid eyes.10
Ah ! their glance has no caressing ;11
Stern they lie in stony guise :12
“ They attract me, yet repel ;13
Through these years of parting sore14
Faith to them I’ve guarded well ;15
Ah ! they know me now no more.16
“ I’m changed in brow, I’m changed in heart ;17
And they dread the farewell sneer,18
Wherewith the agèd bid depart19
Their youthful visions, once so dear.20
“ I stand, with love and pity rife,21
Yet dare not bend me o’er their tomb ;22
My kiss might warm them back to life,23
And theirs has been so full of gloom.”24