A Score Of Years Ago

Down by the breaking waves we stood, Upon the rocky shores; The brave waves whisper'd courage, And lii.l wilh friendly roar The falt'ring words that told the tale I darc-d not teil before. I ask'd, if with the prieclcss gift. Her love, my life she'd bliss? Was it lier voice, or sonie fair wave - For, sooth, I acaree may gue-s - feorae tnurmuring wave, or her sweet voice, That lisp'd so sweetly, "Yes." And then. in happy silence, too, I clasp'd her fair wee hand; And long we stood there, carelessly, While o'er the darkening land The aun set, and the fishing boata Were sailing from the strand. It seema not many d&js ago - Like yeaterday- no inore, inee thus we stood. my love and I, TJpon the rocky shore; But I was four and-twenty then, And now I'm forty-four. The hly hand is thinner now, And in her sunny hair I see sotne sitvery lints, and on Her brow soine lines of care; But, wrinkled brow, or silver Iock3, She'a not one whit let-s fair. The fishing boats a score of yeara Go sailing from tha BtranJ; The crimtou sun a score of years Sets o'er the darkening land. And here to-night upon the cliff We're standing hand-in hand. "My darling, tliere'. our eldest girl, Down on the roeks below; What s Stancy doing by her side?'' My wife says, "You should know; Hes telling her what you ;old me A score of years ago."