Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1839.pdf/61

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many are the fancies That joyous childhood hath! It stoops to gather flowers Where’er may be its path.

And age, too, has its fancies, As earnest, if less sweet; It makes but stormy weather When fancies chance to meet.

It is an ancient chamber, Where he for years has stored What years have gone to gather— The antiquary’s hoard.

It is their grandsire’s birthday, And every child is come In merriment and secret To spoil the guarded room.

One trails a mystic garment That once a mummy wore; One empties a rich casket Of coins upon the floor.

In comes the angry grandsire, His cane is in his hand: There seems but little terror ’Mid that detected band.

Methinks a pleasant lesson Is given by the scene— That age alike and childhood Delight in what has been.

They will make, those happy children, The old man’s heart their own— There never was a pleasure Could be enjoyed alone.