Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Francis Robert Rosslyn, Earl of 1833–90

Memory

I STILL keep open Memory’s chamber: still

Drink from the fount of Youth’s perennial stream.

It may be in old age an idle dream

Of those dear children; but beyond my will

They come again, and dead affections thrill

My pulseless heart, for now once more they seem

To be alive, and wayward fancies teem

In my fond brain, and all my senses fill.

Come, Alice, leave your books; ’t is I who call;

Bind up your hair, and teasing—did you say

Kissing—that kitten? Evey, come with me;

Mary, grave darling, take my hand: yes, all!

I have three hands to-day! A Holiday.

A Holiday, Papa? Woe ’s me! ’t is Memory!