YOUTH OR SCENES FROM THE PAST, A SERIES OF POEMS. INTRODUCTION. My sun is past its zenith; and the blaze, Back to those scenes, whose living image lies, Youth childhood infancy before my sight Successive rise, in colours clear as bright; Thence ripening into manhood's sober hues, Come milder forms, whose mellow tints presage, Not undesired, those softening shades of age, Which closing day must o'er the scene diffuse. CONTENTS. INFANCY-Sincerity-Early Impressions-Imagination-My Mother- YOUTH OR SCENES FROM THE PAST. BOOK FIRST. INFANCY. I. Visions of childhood! oft have ye beguiled Lone manhood's cares, yet waking fondest sighs. COLERIDGE. FAIN would my wandering steps retrace the stream And childhood's joys. Scarce memory can redeem, Where all seemed beautiful, for all was new. II. His brow is bright with gleams of thought, To him, not yet, hath nature taught Those truths, by sorrow shaded, Yes, all is beautiful, while all is new; Each fresh enjoyment of the ardent boy, When, each disguise of later years unknown, SINCERITY. Observe The heart's light laugh pursues the circling jest, ROGERS. yon children playing, and behold What trifles please—how roused by word, or smile, By mimic gesture, harmless prank, or wile, In gay good humour acted! Though the old Too oft with scorn regard them, these take hold 'Tis this which gives in youth each word and sign EARLY IMPRESSIONS. I. Wax to receive, and marble to retain. BYRON. Thoughts that survive to life's remotest hour, Their impulse oft from early childhood bring: Like swelling streams, from slender rills that spring Mid sylvan solitudes, whose shades o'ertower Those infant waters in their cradling bower. I can remount, on memory's faithful wing, To trains of early thought, whose tendrils cling To manhood's growth, with still increasing power: Habits of mind, and modes of thought imprest, In youthful ardour, on the pliant breast; Thy subtle folds, Opinion! round me cast, For good or ill, ere reason yet could guide, Or slow experience, pondering on the past, Its sage monitions for my use provide. |