Long left unwounded by the grisly foe, Who sometime pierces all with fatal shaft, Still on my cheek fresh youth did lively glow, And at his threatening arrow gaily laught; Came then my friendly scholar, and we quaffed From learning’s spring, its sparkling overflow; All through the lingering evening’s charmÈd hours, Delightful fellowship in thought was ours: If I from Poesy could not all abstain, He my poor verses oft did quite undress, New wrapt in words my thought’s veiled nakedness, Or kindly clipt my steed’s luxuriant mane: ’Twas my delight his searching eye to meet, In days of genial versing, memories sweet. January 1, 1882.
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