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YOUTH.
Thou speakest from the heart, blessed spirit!
Thou speakest from a warm, impulsive heart:
No evil do thy flowery realms inherit,
To sow doubts there, for beautiful thou art:
Thy home is by blue streams that wander ever
Through forest-depths that bound thy green domain,
While the deep music of a far-off river
Falls on the ear, whose distant echo never
Will leave the heart again.
Thou speakest from a warm, impulsive heart:
No evil do thy flowery realms inherit,
To sow doubts there, for beautiful thou art:
Thy home is by blue streams that wander ever
Through forest-depths that bound thy green domain,
While the deep music of a far-off river
Falls on the ear, whose distant echo never
Will leave the heart again.
Sweet is the song of birds within thy bowers;
Georgeous and rich the plumage of their wings;
Rare is the beauty of thy countless flowers.
Whose sweet perfume unto the charmed air clings.
Thy green leaves quiver when the breezes wander
In graceful indolence from tree to tree,
Whispering in language musical and tender.
Of distant loiterings through scenes of splendor,
To hearts that worship thee.
Georgeous and rich the plumage of their wings;
Rare is the beauty of thy countless flowers.
Whose sweet perfume unto the charmed air clings.
Thy green leaves quiver when the breezes wander
In graceful indolence from tree to tree,
Whispering in language musical and tender.
Of distant loiterings through scenes of splendor,
To hearts that worship thee.
Leave me some token, when thou hast departed,
Leave me some trait that may resemble thee!
I would not careless be, nor worldly-hearted,
But trusting as young childhood's purity.
Leave me, generous spirit! leave some token
Upon my heart, of thy unchanging truth;
Leave me the memory of kind words spoken.
Of faithful hearts, and promises unbroken,
O, blessed, blessed youth!
Leave me some trait that may resemble thee!
I would not careless be, nor worldly-hearted,
But trusting as young childhood's purity.
Leave me, generous spirit! leave some token
Upon my heart, of thy unchanging truth;
Leave me the memory of kind words spoken.
Of faithful hearts, and promises unbroken,
O, blessed, blessed youth!
