Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne (1766–1845)

WOULD you be young again?

So would not I—

One tear to memory giv’n,

Onward I’d hie.

Life’s dark flood forded o’er,

All but at rest on shore,

Say, would you plunge once more,

With home so nigh?

If you might, would you now

Retrace your way?

Wander through thorny wilds,

Faint and astray?

Night’s gloomy watches fled,

Morning all beaming red,

Hope’s smiles around us shed,

Heavenward—away.

Where are they gone, of yore

My best delight?

Dear and more dear, tho’ now

Hidden from sight.

Where they rejoice to be,

There is the land for me;

Fly time—fly speedily,

Come life and light.