Inscribed In "Tales Of The Ocean" This First Book That I Ever Knew Was Read Aloud To Me By You - Friend Of My Boyhood, Therefore Take It Back From Me, For Old Times' Sake - The Selfsame "Tales" First Read To Me, Under "The Old Sweet Apple Tree," Ere I Myself Could Read Such Great Big Words, - But Listening All Elate, At Your Interpreting, Until Brain, Heart And Soul Were All Athrill With Wonder, Awe, And Sheer Excess Of Wildest Childish Happiness. So Take The Book Again - Forget All Else, - Long Years, Lost Hopes, Regret; Sighs For The Joys We Ne'er Attain, Prayers We Have Lifted All In Vain; Tears For The Faces Seen No More, Once As The Roses At The Door! Take The Enchanted Book - And Lo, On Grassy Swards Of Long Ago, Sprawl Out Again, Beneath The Shade The Breezy Old-Home Orchard Made, The Veriest Barefoot Boy Indeed - And I Will Listen As You Read.