'Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, br Atque metus omnes, et inexorabile fatum br Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari!' br br IN childhood, when with eager eyes br The season-measured year I view'd, br All garb'd in fairy guise, br Pledged constancy of good. br br Spring sang of heaven; the summer flowers br Bade me gaze on, and did not fade; br Even suns o'er autumn's bowers br Heard my strong wish, and stay'd. br br They came and went, the short-lived four; br Yet, as their varying dance they wove, br To my young heart each bore br Its own sure claim of love. br br Far different now;—the whirling year br Vainly my dizzy eyes pursue; br And its fair tints appear br All blent in one dusk hue. br br Why dwell on rich autumnal lights, br Spring-time, or winter's social ring? br Long days are fire-side nights, br Brown autumn is fresh spring. br br Then what this world to thee, my heart? br Its gifts nor feed thee nor can bless. br Thou hast no owner's part br In all its fleetingness. br br The flame, the storm, the quaking ground, br Earth's joy, earth's terror, nought is thine, br Thou must but hear the sound br Of the still voice divine. br br O priceless art! O princely state! br E'en while by sense of change opprest, br Within to antedate br Heaven's Age of fearless rest.