A Memory of Youth Lyrics

The moments passed as at a play

I had the wisdom love brings forth

I had my share of mother-wit

And yet for all that I could say

And though I had her praise for it

A cloud blown from the cut-throat North

Suddenly hid Love's moon away

Believing every word I said

I praised her body and her mind

Till pride had made her eyes grow bright

And pleasure made her cheeks grow red

And vanity her footfall light

Yet we, for all that praise, could find

Nothing but darkness overhead

We sat as silent as a stone

We knew, though she'd not said a word

That even the best of love must die

And had been savagely undone

Were it not that Love upon the cry

Of a most ridiculous little bird

Tore from the clouds his marvelous moon

Although crowds gathered once if she but showed her face

And even old men's eyes grew dim, this hand alone

Like some last courtier at a gypsy camping-place

Babbling of fallen majesty, records what's gone

These lineaments, a heart that laughter has made sweet

These, these remain, but I record what-s gone. A crowd

Will gather, and not know it walks the very street

Whereon a thing once walked that seemed a burning cloud