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How lightly tript the bounding form,
When rosy health with rapture smiled,
O'er the serene and flowery lawn,
And every transient care beguiled!
When rosy health with rapture smiled,
O'er the serene and flowery lawn,
And every transient care beguiled!
A parent's smile, a parent's voice
Awoke the purest thrills of bliss:
The kindred band in love rejoice,
And share in mutual happiness.
Awoke the purest thrills of bliss:
The kindred band in love rejoice,
And share in mutual happiness.
The pleasing daily task performed,
How sweet at evening hour to view
The starry heaven's unnumbered host,
And deep in thought those worlds pursue!
How sweet at evening hour to view
The starry heaven's unnumbered host,
And deep in thought those worlds pursue!
And when the silent night resumed
Her wonted reign, with darkening power,
Soft in the arms of sweet repose,
Past the unconscious, peaceful hour.
Her wonted reign, with darkening power,
Soft in the arms of sweet repose,
Past the unconscious, peaceful hour.
All nature seemed replete with bliss,
Sublime or sportive,—void of care,
And the light heart of childhood deemed
These joys should ever blossom fair.
Sublime or sportive,—void of care,
And the light heart of childhood deemed
These joys should ever blossom fair.
Dear days! in rapid pleasures past,
Whene'er I glance my longing eyes
Back o'er those joys too fair to last,
My aching heart within me dies.
Whene'er I glance my longing eyes
Back o'er those joys too fair to last,
My aching heart within me dies.
