Two Songs of Youth

Come then, as ever, like the wind at morning!
  Joyous, O Youth, in the agèd world renew
Freshness to feel the eternities around it, 
  Rain, stars and clouds, light and the sacred dew.
      The strong sun shines above thee:
      That strength, that radiance bring!
      If Winter come to Winter,
      When shall men hope for Spring?

I never thought that youth would go 
Who was so blithe and fain, 
Or if he strayed I thought a song 
Would call him back again. 

But knowledge came one April day 
And woke me with a start — 
When I walked alone in a wooded lane 
With perfect peace of heart.