Classic Poem

Surge up in wanton waves to-day,
Ye memories of a restless past!
In shine and shadow glance and play, —
This golden moment is your last.

Float, phantoms, o'er a sapphire sea, —
Remembered joy, remembered pain,
Passions and fears that used to be,
But never can be mine again!

Sweet visions, faded long ago,
So beautiful, and once so dear, —
That wrought alike my bliss and woe, —
Your welcome and farewell are here.

For now no more can fancy wile
My steadfast heart with dreams untrue:
I give you each a parting smile,
I give you all a glad adieu.

As one whose soul, on vibrant wings
Of new-born freedom, mounts the skies,
Spurning the earth, my spirit springs
To scale the peaks of paradise.

The sunshine wraps me in its arms,
Wild winds of power around me blow,
And heaven's ablaze with starry charms
To bless the path whereon I go.

For mine is now the ardent truth
And secret of an angel's kiss;
The valley of immortal youth;
The sacred mountain-height of bliss!