here many days once gently past me crept in this dear town of old forgetfulness ; here all entwined in dreams once long i slept and heard no echo of the world 's distress come through the rustle of the elms ' rich leaves , while avon gurgling over shallows wove unending melody , and morns and eves slipped down her waters till the autumn came , ( like the gold leaves that drip and flutter then , till the dark river gleams with jets of flame that slowly float far down beyond our ken . )