Classic Poem

Friend of my early days! the same kind soul
Whom as a fair, mild, studious boy I knew,
The tide of feeling bursts from all control
To hail once more those times, those scenes, and you!
Mine was a melancholy youth 'tis true
Born to the orphan's heritage of woe,
Slight leisure love or hope or joy it knew
And soon was quenched the buoyant spirit's flow:
Therefore perhaps, those hours so bright and few
Of happy boyhood on my memory glow
With all imaginations brilliant hue
Sun beams from showers reflected—Even so
Returns the vision of the past anew
Shining through tears the souls celestial bow!