  Narrower day by day Shrinks the valley we thread; Once how many a way Into the unknown led! All in the morning light Beaded with pearls of dew, And each, to our wondering sight, Full of enchantment new. One on the easy plain Loitering, one on fire The topmost summit to gain, And to mount from high to higher; On by the sparkling brook, Or climbing the steep hill-side, Lightly our way we took, For the world before us was wide. Lightly the branching ways We passed, for the gains of each Seemed to our dreamy gaze To linger within our reach; And all that was bright whereon The desires of our youth were set, Gathered and fused in one, In the glory of manhood met. Little of all that we saw The goal of our vision hath, And closer the dark cliffs draw Frowning about our path; And seldom they part to disclose Issue or choice anew, But the track that the child once chose, The man must still pursue. |
|
