Well, World, you have kept faith with me, br Kept faith with me; br Upon the whole you have proved to be br Much as you said you were. br Since as a child I used to lie br Upon the leaze and watch the sky, br Never, I own, expected I br That life would all be fair. br br 'Twas then you said, and since have said, br Times since have said, br In that mysterious voice you shed br From clouds and hills around: br "Many have loved me desperately, br Many with smooth serenity, br While some have shown contempt of me br Till they dropped underground. br br "I do not promise overmuch, br Child; overmuch; br Just neutral-tinted haps and such," br You said to minds like mine. br Wise warning for your credit's sake! br Which I for one failed not to take, br And hence could stem such strain and ache br As each year might assign.