‘Anticipation is sweeter than realisation.’ br br It may be, yet I have not found it so. br In those first golden dreams of future fame br I did not find such happiness as came br When toil was crowned with triumph. Now I know br My words have recognition, and will go br Straight to some listening heart, my early aim, br To win the idle glory of a name, br Pales like a candle in the noonday’s glow. br br So with the deeper joys of which I dreamed: br Life yields more rapture than did childhood’s fancies, br And each year brings more pleasure than I waited. br Friendship proves truer than of old it seemed, br And, all beyond youth’s passion-hued romances, br Love is more perfect than anticipated.