VII.

My friend! my friend! where art thou? Day by day, Gliding like some dark mournful stream away, My silent youth flows from me. Spring, the while, Comes and rains beauty on the kindling boughs Round hall and hamlet; summer with her smile Fills the green forest; young hearts breathe their vows; Brothers long parted meet; fair children rise Round the glad board; hope laughs from loving eyes: All this is in the world!--these joys lie sown, The dew of every path! On _one_ alone Their freshness may not fall--the stricken deer Dying of thirst with all the waters near.