Lucky was he who found that stone in the nest of the swallow! Thus passed a few swift years, and they no longer were children He was a valiant youth, and his face, like the face of the morning, Gladdened the earth with its light, and ripened thought into action. She was a woman now, with the heart and hopes of a woman. “Sunshine of Saint Eulalie” was she called; for that was the sunshine Which, as the farmers believed, would load their orchards with apples; She too would bring to her husband's house delight and abundance, Filling it full of love and the ruddy faces of chil- dren. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Soldier and statesman, rarest unison; High-poised example of great duties done Simply as breathing, a world's honors worn As life's indifferent gifts to all men born; Dumb for himself, unless it were to God, But for his barefoot soldiers eloquent, Tramping the snow to coral where they trod, Held by his awe in hollow-eyed content; Modest, yet firm as Nature's self ; unblamed Save by the men his nobler temper shamed; Never seduced through show of present good By other than upsetting lights to steer New-trimmed in Heaven, nor than his steadfast mood |
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