Childhood in Balance Street

Our little gardens side by side,
Each bordered round with London Pride,
Some six feet long and three feet wide,
To us a large estate.

The apple and the damson trees,
The cottage shelter for the bees,
I see them, and beyond all these
A something dearer still.

I see an eye serenely blue,
A cheek of girlhood's freshest hue,
A buoyant heart, a spirit true
Alike in good and ill.

Sweet sister, thou wert all to me
And i sufficient friend to thee,
Where was a happier twain than we
Who had no mate beside.

Like wayside flowers in merry May
Our pleasures round about us lay,
A joyful morning had our day
What'er our eve betide.