An Old Man's Dream

Oh, for an linurof youthful joy ! Give back luy twentieth spring ! I'J rather laugh a bright haind boy Than reign a gray haiied king. Off with the wrinkled spoils of age ; Away with learning's crown ; Tear out life's wisdom wntlen page, And cast ita trophies down. One moment letmv Ufe bloodstream Froin boyhood's fount ot Jame ; Give me one giddy, reeling droaiu Of lite, and love, and íamo. My listening angel heard the prayer, And cahnly sniiling said, " If I but touch thy silver hair, Thy hasty wísh had sped. Tint is therc nothing in thy track To bid thee fondly stay, ■ Whilp the swift scasons íiuny back To find the wished for day ?" Ah, truest soul of woman kind ! Without thee what were life ? One blisa I eannotleave behind - ril take ray irecious wife ! Tlie angel took a flapphire pen, And wrote in rainbow hue ; " ïlie man would be a boy again, And be a husband too ! " And is there nothing yet unsaid lieforc the change ap'pears ? Eemember all their gifts have fled WitU these dissulving years '■" " Why, yes, I would one favor more - My fond paternal joys - I could not bear to lose them all ; I'U take my girls and boys." The smiling angel dropped his pen- Why, this wil! never do ; The man wouid be a boy again, And be a fathor too ! And so I laughed - my laughter woke The household with its noise, I wrote my dream when moruing broke To please my fair haired boys.