O while I live and linger on the brink
Let the dear Muses be my company;
Their nectared goblets let my parched lips drink;
Ah, let me drink the _soma_ of their lips!
As humming-bird the lily's nectar sips,
Or _Houris_ sip the wine of Salsabil.
Aye, let me to their throbbing music thrill,
And let me never for one moment think,
Although no laurel crown my constancy,
Their gracious smiles are false, their dearest kiss a lie.
TWENTY YEARS AGO
I am growing old and weary
Ere yet my locks are gray;
Before me lies eternity,
Behind me--but a day.
How fast the years are vanishing!
They melt like April snow:
It seems to me but yesterday--
Twenty years ago.
There's the school-house on the hill-side,
And the romping scholars all;
Where we used to con our daily tasks,
And play our games of ball.
They rise to me in visions--
In sunny dreams--and ho'
I sport among the boys and girls
Twenty years ago.
We played at ball in summer time--
We boys--with hearty will;
With merry shouts in winter time
We coasted on the hill.
We would choose our chiefs, divide in bands,
And build our forts of snow,
And storm those forts right gallantly--
Twenty years ago.
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