Poem by Thomas Hood

* * *

The world is with me, and its many cares,
Its woes--its wants--the anxious hopes and fears
That wait on all terrestrial affairs--
The shades of former and of future years--
Forboding fancies and prophetic tears,
Quelling a spirit that was once elate.
Heavens! what a wilderness the world appears,
Where youth, and mirth, and health are out of date;
But no--a laugh of innocence and joy
Resounds, like music of the fairy race,
And, gladly turning from the world's annoy,
I gaze upon a little radiant face,
And bless, internally, the merry boy
Who "makes a son-shine in a shady place." 

1. The Two Peacocks of Bedfont
2. Ballad (She's up and gone, the graceless girl)
3. Sonnet for the 14th of February
4. To My Daughter on Her Birthday
5. The Boy at the Nore

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