LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.
 
        "Heaven lies about us in our infancy."
 
        Sweet child of fairy land! since first
            I dwelt, with tearful eye,
        Upon the page that tells thy tale,
            Long years have glided by.
 
        Then, in thy fabled history,
            No marvel could I see;
        For then the worlds of thought and sense
            Were fairy lands to me.
 
        The fields and meadows were as bright
            As those where thou didst stray; --
        And gaily through their tangled flowers,
            Like thee I took my way.
 
        And while I walked that sunny path,
            Nor doubt nor fear was mine;
        For childhood's trustfulness and faith
            Are ever strong, like thine.
 
        Alas! that coming years should throw
            Dark shadows o'er our way;
        And leave us with this aching sense
            Of glory passed away.