PAYING CALLS

I went by footpath and by stile Beyond where bustle ends, Strayed here a mile and there a mile And called upon some friends.

On certain ones I had not seen For years past did I call, And then on others who had been The oldest friends of all.

It was the time of midsummer When they had used to roam; But now, though tempting was the air, I found them all at home.

I spoke to one and other of them By mound and stone and tree Of things we had done ere days were dim, But they spoke not to me.