How soft the lamplight falls br On pictures, books, br And pleasant coloured walls br And curtains drawn! br How happily one looks br On glowing flame and ember; br Ah, why should one remember br Dew and dawn! br br Here age and wisdom sit br Calm and discreet, br Life and the fruit of it br Are here in truth, br Whose gathering once was sweet-- br Wisdom and age! Well met! br Yet neither can forget br Folly and youth!br br Edith Nesbitbr br