AFTER A LECTURE AT ALBANY br br 'T WAS a vision of childhood that came with its dawn, br Ere the curtain that covered life's day-star was drawn; br The nurse told the tale when the shadows grew long, br And the mother's soft lullaby breathed it in song. br br 'There flows a fair stream by the hills of the West,'-- br She sang to her boy as he lay on her breast; br 'Along its smooth margin thy fathers have played; br Beside its deep waters their ashes are laid.' br br I wandered afar from the land of my birth, br I saw the old rivers, renowned upon earth, br But fancy still painted that wide-flowing stream br With the many-hued pencil of infancy's dream. br br I saw the green banks of the castle-crowned Rhine, br Where the grapes drink the moonlight and change it to wine; br I stood by the Avon, whose waves as they glide br Still whisper his glory who sleeps at their side.