(Grandfather, musing.) br br br In childish days! O memory, br You bring such curious things to me!-- br Laughs to the lip--tears to the eye, br In looking on the gifts that lie br Like broken playthings scattered o'er br Imagination's nursery floor! br Did these old hands once click the key br That let 'Jack's' box-lid upward fly, br And that blear-eyed, fur-whiskered elf br Leap, as though frightened at himself, br And quiveringly lean and stare br At me, his jailer, laughing there? br br br A child then! Now--I only know br They call me very old; and so br They will not let me have my way,-- br But uselessly I sit all day br Here by the chimney-jamb, and poke br The lazy fire, and smoke and smoke, br And watch the wreaths swoop up the flue, br And chuckle--ay, I often do-- br Seeing again, all vividly, br Jack-in-the-box leap, as in glee br To see how much he looks like me! br br ... They talk.