Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Harp of Renfrewshire

435
Bat which Hope paints, with fairy colours bright
In the dim vista of our coming lot.
And Fancy, with its ever-changing hues
Tints all the features with a radiant light.
Alas ! that such sweet visions of Hope born.
Should vanish at the coming of that morn.
CLXXVIII.
CHILDHOOD AND AGE.
CHILDHOOD.
Gambol ! ye happy ones, gambol in glee,
Without the shadow of a care to check ;
Revel with joy beneath the old oak tree,
And with the blooming flowers your bright hair deck.
Ruddy 's the faces with heaven's blessed air.
And all embrowned by sun's each little neck,
And the light ringlets, bleached still more fair,
Of this small chubby urchin. 'Neath yon thorn
Sit weaving garlands, one fair girl and boy.
Looking with radiant faces — the blessed pair.
Into each other's eyes. Oh ! rosy morn,
Ne'er comes again your pure and buoyant joy.
First hopes, first pleasures, memory in their light,
Makes nought in after years so glad, so bright.
Who may divine the many-coloured dreams,
Thronging like shifting shadows o'er his heart,
As coolly sheltered from the sun's fierce beams,
In rustic seat, he silent sits apart,