Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Francis William Bourdillon b. 1852

Old and Young

LONG ago, on a bright spring day,

I passed a little child at play;

And as I passed, in childish glee

She called to me, “Come and play with me!”

But my eyes were fixed on a far-off height

I was fain to climb before the night;

So, half-impatient, I answered, “Nay!

I am too old, too old to play.”

Long, long after, in Autumn time—

My limbs were grown too old to climb—

I passed a child on a pleasant lea,

And I called to her, “Come and play with me!”

But her eyes were fixed on a fairy-book;

And scarce she lifted a wondering look,

As with childish scorn she answered, “Nay!

I am too old, too old to play!”