My soul 'twas formed for nobler deeds; 'Tis there my brothers are as free As soars aloft the eagle's wing; 'Tis there they wait and watch for me,My chair is vacant when they sing. 200 THE STOLEN CHILD. Now say that you will set me free! 'Tis done, 'tis past, I'm free once more; Than rarest gems all decked with gold. When We Are Old. RE we're aware-ah! yes, how soon!— noon; And noon's broad and dazzling light Will seem our life-when we are old. To us, 'when old, this tempting earth Their fragrance sweet-when we are old. 202 WHEN WE ARE OLD. When we are old, we will not care, In gay and costly robes to shine, Will lose their charms-when we are old. When we are old, come when that will, We'll sigh, and think that death is bold When we are old, we then shall know We'll know who were our friends indeed, When we are old, we all will be Our hands that toil from sun to sun, Will need a staff to lean upon; Our feet, so reckless, quick, and bold, When we are old-those words now seem Like the rehearsal of a dream We picture, as in prophetic rhyme, That far-off spot on the shore of time— That spot so distant, it seems quite bold; When we are old-perhaps ere then, We shall be borne from the haunts of men; Ere we are old,—that time is now,— |