Alladin By James Russell Lowell

when i was a beggarly boy and lived in a cellar damp, i had not a friend nor toy, but i had aladin's lamp. when i could not sleep for cold, i had fire enough in my brain and builded with roofs of gold, my beautiful castles in spain. since then i have toiled day and night, i have money and power good store but i'd give all my lamps of silver bright, for the one that is mine no more. take fortune, whatever you choose, you gave and may snatch again, i have nothing t'would pain me to lose, for i own no more castles in spain. I feel that he is talking about youth. carmine