The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 3.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

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I.

far from his close and noisome cell,
     By grassy lane and sunny stream,
Blown clover field and strawberry dell,
     And green and meadow freshness, fell
The footsteps of his dream. [283]
     Again from careless feet the dew
Of summer's misty morn he shook;
     Again with merry heart he threw
His light line in the rippling brook.
     Back crowded all his school-day joys;
He urged the ball and quoit again,
     And heard the shout of laughing boys
Come ringing down the walnut glen.
     Again he felt the western breeze,
With scent of flowers and crisping hay;
     And down again through wind-stirred trees.
He saw the quivering sunlight play.
     An angel in home's vine-hung door,
He saw his sister smile once more;
     Once more the truant's brown-locked head
Upon his mother's knees was laid,
     And sweetly lulled to slumber there,
With evening's holy hymn and prayer!