“Beloved Vale!” I said, “when I shall con...

“Beloved Vale!” I said, “when I shall con

Those many records of my childish years,

Remembrance of myself and of my peers

Will press me down: to think of what is gone

Will be an awful thought, if life have one.”

But, when into the Vale I came, no fears

Distressed me; from mine eyes escaped no tears;

Deep thought, or dread remembrance, had I none.

By doubts and thousand petty fancies crost

I stood, of simple shame the blushing Thrall;

So narrow seemed the brooks, the fields so small!

A Juggler's balls old Time about him tossed;

I looked, I stared, I smiled, I laughed; and all

The weight of sadness was in wonder lost.