WHEN AS CHILDREN we played And laughed and wept as we pleased Then only sleep delayed And tomorrow our fears released; Tho' anger our joys befouled But for the time in its hour Even if for-ever we howled Our indignation so sour; Now we knowing evil and good Cannot either laugh or cry Cannot show anger, we should But know not the reason why; Cannot love beauty or truth Nor can virtue be practiced by us Without the folly of youth And our treasures all turned to rust; Had we stayed children we might Forget our fear in the morn If those who said so were right We would not pity the scorn; Alas, although we grew old In years and even in ken-- No children we are truth be told Nor have we yet become men.
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