“p>The sportive hopes that used to chase their shifting shadows on,
Like children playing in the sun, are gone—for ever gone;
And on a careless, sullen peace, my double-fronted mind,
Like Janus, when his gates are shut, looks forward and behind.Apollo placed his harp, of old, awhile upon a stone,
Which has resounded since, when struck, a breaking harp string's tone;
And thus my heart, though wholly now from early softness free,
If touch'd, will yield the music yet, it first received of thee.

—  Edward Coote Pinkney, A Picture Song

A Picture Song.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Edward Coote Pinkney5
American poet, lawyer, sailor, professor, and editor 1802–1828

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