Late Leaves THE leaves are falling; so am I; The few late flowers have moisture in the eye; So have I too. Scarcely on any bough is heard Joyous, or even unjoyous, bird The whole wood through. Winter may come: he brings but nigher His circle (yearly narrowing) to the fire Where old friends meet.

Let him; now heaven is overcast, And spring and summer both are past, And all things sweet. 576. Finis I STROVE with none, for none was worth my strife.

Nature I loved and, next to Nature, Art: I warm'd both hands before the fire of life; It sinks, and I am ready to depart. CHARLES LAMB. 1775-1834 577.

The Old Familiar Faces I HAVE had playmates, I have had companions, In my days of childhood, in my joyful school-days-- All, all are gone, the old familiar faces. I have been laughing, I have been carousing, Drinking late, sitting late, with my bosom cronies-- All, all are gone, the old familiar faces. I loved a Love once, fairest among women: Closed are her doors on me, I must not see her-- All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I have a friend, a kinder friend has no man: Like an ingrate, I left my friend abruptly; Left him, to muse on the old familiar faces. Ghost-like I paced round the haunts of my childhood, Earth seem'd a desert I was bound to traverse, Seeking to find the old familiar faces. Friend of my bosom, thou more than a brother, Why wert not thou born in my father's dwelling? So might we talk of the old familiar faces-- How some they have died, and some they have left me, And some are taken from me; all are departed-- All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.