Volume 5 — Original. At Threescore.

There was but one in all the world, Fond heart, To whom thou gayest all, nor kept A part; And that was John. None e'er so gentle, nor so brave as he, None other's arm so strong or sweet to me To lean upon. 'Twas down upon the ocean shore One day, The heart I once had some one took Away; And that was John. Strange moment! for it seemèd then to me As if the rocks and sands and clouds and sea And all were gone.

You understand, I do not mean Quite all: Some one was there, so handsome, straight, And tall; And that was John: But he was all to me, and nothing there Nor aught in this wide world with him could bear Comparison. Long years have passed, and now my step Is slow. Though weak his arm, yet strong his heart, I know, To lean upon. Beside me seated in his high-backed chair, I see a tall old man with silvered hair; And that is John. My day of life has always been Most bright, But now the shadows longer grow, And night Is coming on. I fear it not, for when my course is run, I look beyond the grave to meet with One More dear than John.