| Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912. |
| |
| Richard Henry Stoddard. 1825–1903 |
| |
| 160. The Flight of Youth |
| |
| THERE are gains for all our losses, | |
| There are balms for all our pain: | |
| But when youth, the dream, departs, | |
| It takes something from our hearts, | |
| And it never comes again. | 5 |
| |
| We are stronger, and are better, | |
| Under manhood's sterner reign: | |
| Still we feel that something sweet | |
| Followed youth, with flying feet, | |
| And will never come again. | 10 |
| |
| Something beautiful is vanished, | |
| And we sigh for it in vain: | |
| We behold it everywhere, | |
| On the earth, and in the air, | |
| But it never comes again. | 15 |
|
|
