The Flight of Youth
There are gains for all our losses.
There are balms for all our pain:
But when youth, the dream, departs(1)
It takes something from our hearts,
And it never comes again.
We are stronger, and are better,
Under manhood's sterner reign:(2)
Still we feel that something sweet
Followed youth, with flying feet(3),
And will never come again.
Something beautiful is vanished,
And we sigh for it in vain;
We behold it everywhere(4),
On the earth, and in the air,
But it never comes again !(5)