"I find the song in my scrapbook, and send it to save you the trouble
of hunting for it.
"H. W. L."
It was first reprinted in "The Waif," a thin volume of selections
published by Longfellow many years ago. "The Waif" and "The Estray"
preserved many a lovely poem from oblivion, till it should find its
place at length among its fellows.
Already in 1875 we find Longfellow at work upon his latest collection
of poems, which he called "Poems of Places." It was a much more
laborious and unrewarding occupation than he had intended, and he was
sometimes weary of his self-imposed task. He wrote at this period:--
No politician ever sought for Places with half the zeal that I do.
Friend and Foe alike have to give Place to
Yours truly, H. W. L.