Once Upon a Time.

When dull November's misty shroud,     All Nature's charms depress,     Flinging a damp, dark, deadening cloud,     O'er each heart's joyousness.     Our fancies quit their lighter vein,     And out from Memory's shrine,     We marshal thoughts of grief and pain,     Known, - once upon a time.     'Tis then that faces, long forgot,     In shadows reappear; -     Voices, that once we heeded not,     Come whispering in the ear;     And ghosts of friends whom once we met,     When life was in its prime,     Recall acts we would fain forget,     Done, - once upon time.     Regretfull sighs for thoughtless deeds,     That worked another wrong;     Vows that we broke, like rotten reeds     Like spectres glide along;     Tears naught avail to heal the smart,     We caused - nor deemed it crime,     Whilst selfishly we wrung a heart,     Loved, - once upon a time.     Oh, could we but, as on we go,     Care more for other's weal,     Nor deem all joys earth can bestow,     Are but for us to feel;     Then howe'er humble, howe'er poor,     Our lives would be sublime,     Nor should we dread to ponder o'er,     Days, - once upon a time.