Classic Poem

O friends, dear friends! what mean these sober faces?
The children dance around us, free as air,
But more and more, there comes into our faces
A wearied look, and we are grown aware
Of solemn changes that are stealing o'er us,
For O the years! they make their stern demands.
What can we do? — the way is short before us,
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

We scarcely knew when the sweet morn departed;
A wondrous light was over earth and sky,
And on we sped, careless and happy-hearted,
Nor answer made to her " Good-bye, good-bye. "
We miss her now, the changeful years endear her,
Through golden mists we watch her where she stands;
She looks and smiles, but never will come nearer,
Then closer, closer let us clasp our hands.

We thought the sun was standing still above us,
A changeless thing, safe anchored in the sky;
It moves at last, and now, if any love us,
We call to them " Noon, too, is passing by! "
Along the grasses do our shadows lengthen,
The winds blow fresh from undiscovered lands;
Now, now indeed, all tender ties should strengthen,
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

The song of birds is sweet and sweeter growing,
The rainbows bend more brightly in the sky;
We slowly walk, but we are surely going
Through wider gateways, as the years go by.
O little children! dance and sing around us,
Not one of you our story understands;
We have borne crosses, many crowns have crowned us;
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

Our ranks are broken, but we follow, follow,
Along the paths that every foot must tread;
The Heavens are near when earth is ringing hollow;
Why should we mourn or be disquieted?
O friends, dear friends, come nearer still and nearer!
Love wears her crown and strengthens all her bands;
Your faces glow, your names are growing dearer,
And closer, closer let us clasp our hands!

O friends, dear friends! what mean these sober faces?
The children dance around us, free as air,
But more and more, there comes into our faces
A wearied look, and we are grown aware
Of solemn changes that are stealing o'er us,
For O the years! they make their stern demands.
What can we do? — the way is short before us,
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

We scarcely knew when the sweet morn departed;
A wondrous light was over earth and sky,
And on we sped, careless and happy-hearted,
Nor answer made to her " Good-bye, good-bye. "
We miss her now, the changeful years endear her,
Through golden mists we watch her where she stands;
She looks and smiles, but never will come nearer,
Then closer, closer let us clasp our hands.

We thought the sun was standing still above us,
A changeless thing, safe anchored in the sky;
It moves at last, and now, if any love us,
We call to them " Noon, too, is passing by! "
Along the grasses do our shadows lengthen,
The winds blow fresh from undiscovered lands;
Now, now indeed, all tender ties should strengthen,
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

The song of birds is sweet and sweeter growing,
The rainbows bend more brightly in the sky;
We slowly walk, but we are surely going
Through wider gateways, as the years go by.
O little children! dance and sing around us,
Not one of you our story understands;
We have borne crosses, many crowns have crowned us;
And closer, closer we are clasping hands.

Our ranks are broken, but we follow, follow,
Along the paths that every foot must tread;
The Heavens are near when earth is ringing hollow;
Why should we mourn or be disquieted?
O friends, dear friends, come nearer still and nearer!
Love wears her crown and strengthens all her bands;
Your faces glow, your names are growing dearer,
And closer, closer let us clasp our hands!