“To begin, begin.”

“But the sweet face of Lucy GrayWill never more be seen.The storm came on before its time:She wandered up and down;And many a hill did Lucy climb:But never reached the town.”

“This son of his old age was yet more dear— Less from instinctive tenderness, the same Fond spirit that blindly works in the blood of all— 145Than that a child, more than all other gifts That earth can offer to declining man, Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts, And stirrings of inquietude, when they By tendency of nature needs must fail.”

“What though the radiance that was once so bright, be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”

“And homeless near a thousand homes I stood, And near a thousand tables pined and wanted food.”

“Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we comeFrom God, who is our home.”

“And yet the wiser mindMourns less for what age takes awayThan what it leaves behind.”