OH!
pleasant exercise of hope and joy! For mighty were the auxiliars
which then stood Upon our side, we who were strong in
love! Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be
young was very heaven!--Oh! times, In which the meagre, stale,
forbidding ways Of custom, law, and statute, took at
once The attraction of a country in romance! When
Reason seemed the most to assert her rights, When most intent on
making of herself A prime Enchantress--to
assist the work, Which then was going forward in her
name! Not favoured spots alone, but the whole earth,
The beauty wore of promise, that which sets (As at some moment
might not be unfelt Among the bowers of paradise
itself) The budding rose above the rose full
blown.
OH!
pleasant exercise of hope and joy! For mighty were the auxiliars
which then stood Upon our side, we who were strong in
love! Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be
young was very heaven!--Oh! times, In which the meagre, stale,
forbidding ways Of custom, law, and statute, took at
once The attraction of a country in romance! When
Reason seemed the most to assert her rights, When most intent on
making of herself A prime Enchantress--to
assist the work, Which then was going forward in her
name! Not favoured spots alone, but the whole earth,
The beauty wore of promise, that which sets (As at some moment
might not be unfelt Among the bowers of paradise
itself) The budding rose above the rose full
blown.