A Child's Imagination

A Child's Imagination

O thou golden image,
    Miniature of bliss,
Speaking sweetly, speaking meetly!
    Every word deserves a kiss.

Strange, remote and splendid
    Childhood's fancy pure
Thrills to thoughts we cannot fathom,
    Quick felicities obscure.

When the eyes grow solemn
    Laughter fades away,
Nature of her mighty childhood
    Recollects the Titan play;

Woodlands touched by sunlight
    Where the elves abode,
Giant meetings, Titan greetings,
    Fancies of a youthful God.

These are coming on thee
    In thy secret thought;
God remembers in thy bosom
    All the wonders that He wrought.