SEQUEL TO THE FOREGOING,

Where are they now, those wanton Boys?

For whose free range the dædal earth

Was filled with animated toys,

And implements of frolic mirth;

With tools for ready wit to guide;

And ornaments of seemlier pride,

More fresh, more bright, than princes wear;

For what one moment flung aside,

Another could repair;

What good or evil have they seen

Since I their pastime witnessed here,

Their daring wiles, their sportive cheer?

I ask — but all is dark between!

They met me in a genial hour,

When universal nature breathed

As with the breath of one sweet flower,—

A time to overrule the power

Of discontent, and check the birth

Of thoughts with better thoughts at strife,

The most familiar bane of life

Since parting Innocence bequeathed

Mortality to Earth!

Soft clouds, the whitest of the year,

Sailed through the sky — the brooks ran clear;

The lambs from rock to rock were bounding;

With songs the budded groves resounding;

And to my heart are still endeared

The thoughts with which it then was cheered;

The faith which saw that gladsome pair

Walk through the fire with unsinged hair.

Or, if such faithmust needs deceive —

Then, Spirits of beauty and of grace,

Associates in that eager chase;

Ye, who within the blameless mind

Your favourite seat of empire find —

Kind Spirits! may we not believe

That they, so happy and so fair

Through your sweet influence, and the care

Of pitying Heaven, at least were free

From touch of deadly injury?

Destined, whate'er their earthly doom,

For mercy and immortal bloom?