| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | IV. Christmas Sonnets. 3. To R. H. S. | | By Bayard Taylor (1825–1878) |
| | | THE YEARS go by, old friend! Each, as it fleets, | |
| Moves to a farther, fairer realm the time | |
| When first we twain the pleasant land of rhyme | |
| Discovered, choosing side by side our seats | |
| Below our separate gods: in midnight streets | 5 |
| And haunted attics flattered by the chime | |
| Of silver words, and fed by faith sublime, | |
| I Shelley’s mantle wore, you that of Keats,— | |
| Dear dreams, that marked the Muse’s childhood then, | |
| Nor now to be disowned! The years go by: | 10 |
| The clear-eyed goddess flatters us no more, | |
| And yet, I think, in soberer aims of men | |
| And servitude of Song, that you and I | |
| Are nearer, dearer, faithfuller than before. | | | | |
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