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Poem
August 15, 1896
The Sea Coast Echo
Bay Saint Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
Nostalgic poem by Eugene Field reminiscing about childhood nights in the attic, where moonbeams brought prophetic dreams of manhood and peace, yearning to recapture that lost innocence amid adult weariness.
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OCR Quality
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Excellent
Full Text
WHEN I WAS A BOY.
Up in the attic where I slept
When I was a boy, a little boy,
In through the lattice the moonbeams crept,
Bringing a tide of dreams that swept
Over the low, red trundle-bed,
Bathing the tangled curly head,
While moonbeams played at hide-and-seek
With the dimples on the sun-browned cheek—
And, oh! the dreams—the dreams dreamed!
When I was a boy, a little boy!
For the grace that through the lattice streamed
Over my folded eyelids seemed
To have the gift of prophecy.
And to bring me glimpses of times to be
When manhood's clarion seemed to call—
Ah! that was the sweetest dream of all,
When I was a boy, a little boy!
I'd like to sleep where I used to sleep,
When I was a boy, a little boy!
For in at the lattice the moon would peep,
Bringing the tide of dreams to sweep
The crosses and griefs of the years away
From the heart that is weary and faint to-day;
And those dreams should show me back again
A peace I have never known since then—
When I was a boy, a little boy!
—Eugene Field.
Up in the attic where I slept
When I was a boy, a little boy,
In through the lattice the moonbeams crept,
Bringing a tide of dreams that swept
Over the low, red trundle-bed,
Bathing the tangled curly head,
While moonbeams played at hide-and-seek
With the dimples on the sun-browned cheek—
And, oh! the dreams—the dreams dreamed!
When I was a boy, a little boy!
For the grace that through the lattice streamed
Over my folded eyelids seemed
To have the gift of prophecy.
And to bring me glimpses of times to be
When manhood's clarion seemed to call—
Ah! that was the sweetest dream of all,
When I was a boy, a little boy!
I'd like to sleep where I used to sleep,
When I was a boy, a little boy!
For in at the lattice the moon would peep,
Bringing the tide of dreams to sweep
The crosses and griefs of the years away
From the heart that is weary and faint to-day;
And those dreams should show me back again
A peace I have never known since then—
When I was a boy, a little boy!
—Eugene Field.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Song
What keywords are associated?
Boyhood
Childhood Dreams
Moonbeams
Nostalgia
Attic Sleep
What entities or persons were involved?
Eugene Field.
Poem Details
Title
When I Was A Boy.
Author
Eugene Field.
Subject
Recollections Of Boyhood Dreams
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Refrain
Key Lines
When I Was A Boy, A Little Boy!
Up In The Attic Where I Slept
When I Was A Boy, A Little Boy,
In Through The Lattice The Moonbeams Crept,
Bringing A Tide Of Dreams That Swept
I'd Like To Sleep Where I Used To Sleep,
When I Was A Boy, A Little Boy!
For In At The Lattice The Moon Would Peep,
Bringing The Tide Of Dreams To Sweep
The Crosses And Griefs Of The Years Away