Like the ghost of a dear friend dead br Is Time long past. br A tone which is now forever fled, br A hope which is now forever past, br A love so sweet it could not last, br Was Time long past. br br There were sweet dreams in the night br Of Time long past: br And, was it sadness or delight, br Each day a shadow onward cast br Which made us wish it yet might last-- br That Time long past. br br There is regret, almost remorse, br For Time long past. br 'Tis like a child's belovèd corse br A father watches, till at last br Beauty is like remembrance, cast br From Time long past.