A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW. OH, when I was a tiny boy My days and nights were full of joy, A hoop was an eternal round Of pleasure. In those days I found A top a joyous thing; But now those past delights I drop, My head, alas! is all my top, My marbles once my bag was stor'd, Now I must play with Elgin's lord, With Theseus for a taw! My playful horse has slipt his string, And harness'd to the law! My kite how fast and far it flew ! Whilst I, a sort of Franklin, drew My pleasure from the sky! 'Twas paper'd o'er with studious themes, My joys are wingless all and dead; My dumps are made of more than lead; My flights soon find a fall; My fears prevail, my fancies droop, And seldom with a call! My football's laid upon the shelf; I am a shuttlecock myself The world knocks to and fro; My archery is all unlearn'd, And grief against myself has turn'd No more in noontide sun I bask; My head 's ne'er out of school: And friends grown strangely cool! The very chum that shared my cake It makes me shrink and sigh: - No skies so blue or so serene As then; -no leaves look half so green As cloth'd the play-ground tree! All things I lov'd are alter'd so, Nor does it ease my heart to know That change resides in me! O, for the garb that mark'd the boy, Well ink'd with black and red; O, for the riband round the neck! A boy of larger growth? O for that small, small beer anew! And (heaven's own type) that mild sky-blue That wash'd my sweet meals down; O for the lessons learn'd by heart! The Arabian Nights rehears'd in bed! The prize of merit, won for home But now I write for days and days, Without the silver pen! · Then home, sweet home! the crowded coach The joyous shout the loud approach The winding horns like rams'! The meeting sweet that made me thrill, When that I was a tiny boy |