How long ago it seems since last we met,
How long ago, but memory sees thee yet,
When sunlight was awakening the woods
And chestnut buds were burgeoning with hoods.
How beautiful the earth was on that day!
For with her wand, the arch enchantress May
Had touched the flowers long lulled in opiate sleep
And near the pines th' arbutus 'gan to creep,
And spring with mystic minstrelsy had wrought
Her magic in the meadows; warm winds brought
The susurrus of sounds, foretelling years
Replete with songs and laughter, rife with tears;
O spring had found our hearts and planted deep
The restlessness the years of youth must reap.
Thus was the world and still I see thee stand
With parted eager lips and every strand
Of dark brown hair that floated from the brim
Of thy broad hat and fluttered with the whim
Of playful, wastrel winds that passed, delayed,
Then whispered, homeward, westward through the glade.
And oft we strayed together in the sun,
Pulling the daisies' petals, one by one,
Watching the river slowly stealing by,
Hearing the flicker's rushing, strident cry,
Or when the mood would change there'd come to me
Commingling with the season's melody,
Half murmured snatches of some ancient song,
Ringing through our laughter all the day live-long.
“Love in the world of old
Fashioned his house with pride
Deep in the heart of a wood
High on the lone hill-side.
Building the laughter and song,
Forming the mirth and the fears,
Giving the gifts of the heart
Into the hands of the years.
“Love in the world of old
Fashioned his færy shrine,
White for the hope of the years
Tall as the towering pine;
Weaving the shadowy dreams,
Dowering the earth with desire,
Lifting the soul of man
Out of the depths of the mire.”
And though long years have slowly rolled away
Since last we met and since our hearts were gay
Yet still I see thee with thy listening smile,
At those dim times when we were wont to while
The hours away, dream-drifting o'er the lake,
Or when we heard the far-off loon awake
The star-lit stillness with its 'verberant cry
While echo answered from the hills on high.
O all the world was wondrous in our eyes,
Enchanting as the setting sun which dyes
The evening heavens crimson, till the night
Comes on invisible wings, in silent flight.
So came the night of war across the earth
And mystic beauty, trembling in her birth,
Fled till the glorious sunrise of the world
Will flaunt the skies, a flag of peace unfurled.
O then will come the marvellous days once more
When April laughs outside each open door
And love goes roaming gypsy-like and free
Among the hills and valleys homewardly.
How long ago, but memory sees thee yet,
When sunlight was awakening the woods
And chestnut buds were burgeoning with hoods.
How beautiful the earth was on that day!
For with her wand, the arch enchantress May
Had touched the flowers long lulled in opiate sleep
And near the pines th' arbutus 'gan to creep,
And spring with mystic minstrelsy had wrought
Her magic in the meadows; warm winds brought
The susurrus of sounds, foretelling years
Replete with songs and laughter, rife with tears;
O spring had found our hearts and planted deep
The restlessness the years of youth must reap.
Thus was the world and still I see thee stand
With parted eager lips and every strand
Of dark brown hair that floated from the brim
Of thy broad hat and fluttered with the whim
Of playful, wastrel winds that passed, delayed,
Then whispered, homeward, westward through the glade.
And oft we strayed together in the sun,
Pulling the daisies' petals, one by one,
Watching the river slowly stealing by,
Hearing the flicker's rushing, strident cry,
Or when the mood would change there'd come to me
Commingling with the season's melody,
Half murmured snatches of some ancient song,
Ringing through our laughter all the day live-long.
“Love in the world of old
Fashioned his house with pride
Deep in the heart of a wood
High on the lone hill-side.
Building the laughter and song,
Forming the mirth and the fears,
Giving the gifts of the heart
Into the hands of the years.
“Love in the world of old
Fashioned his færy shrine,
White for the hope of the years
Tall as the towering pine;
Weaving the shadowy dreams,
Dowering the earth with desire,
Lifting the soul of man
Out of the depths of the mire.”
And though long years have slowly rolled away
Since last we met and since our hearts were gay
Yet still I see thee with thy listening smile,
At those dim times when we were wont to while
The hours away, dream-drifting o'er the lake,
Or when we heard the far-off loon awake
The star-lit stillness with its 'verberant cry
While echo answered from the hills on high.
O all the world was wondrous in our eyes,
Enchanting as the setting sun which dyes
The evening heavens crimson, till the night
Comes on invisible wings, in silent flight.
So came the night of war across the earth
And mystic beauty, trembling in her birth,
Fled till the glorious sunrise of the world
Will flaunt the skies, a flag of peace unfurled.
O then will come the marvellous days once more
When April laughs outside each open door
And love goes roaming gypsy-like and free
Among the hills and valleys homewardly.