XLII.

And so my noon hath come! If so,

I must resign myself, in sooth;

Yet let us part in friendship, O

My frivolous and jolly youth.

I thank thee for thy joyfulness,

Love's tender transports and distress,

For riot, frolics, mighty feeds,

And all that from thy hand proceeds -

I thank thee. In thy company,

With tumult or contentment still

Of thy delights I drank my fill,

Enough! with tranquil spirit I

Commence a new career in life

And rest from bygone days of strife.

XLIII.

But pause! Thou calm retreats, farewell,

Where my days in the wilderness

Of languor and of love did tell

And contemplative dreaminess;

And thou, youth's early inspiration,

Invigorate imagination

And spur my spirit's torpid mood!

Fly frequent to my solitude,

Let not the poet's spirit freeze,

Grow harsh and cruel, dead and dry,

Eventually petrify

In the world's mortal revelries,

Amid the soulless sons of pride

And glittering simpletons beside;

XLIV.

Amid sly, pusillanimous

Spoiled children most degenerate

And tiresome rogues ridiculous

And stupid censors passionate;