 | The poems of Mrs. Emma Catherine Embury |  |
STANZAS
ADDRESSED TO MY FATHER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Wear not, dear father, looks of gloom upon this festal day,
Nor yield thy soul to pensive thoughts when all around are gay;
Why shouldst thou pause and sadly gaze through time's dim vista back,
When so much sunshine gathers yet above thine onward track?
Nor yield thy soul to pensive thoughts when all around are gay;
Why shouldst thou pause and sadly gaze through time's dim vista back,
When so much sunshine gathers yet above thine onward track?
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What though the sun of life declines from its meridian height,
Since thus it sheds upon thy path a softer, mellower light?
Across its morning beam full oft the tempest cloud was driven,
But all undimmed is now the ray that lights thy evening heaven.
Since thus it sheds upon thy path a softer, mellower light?
Across its morning beam full oft the tempest cloud was driven,
But all undimmed is now the ray that lights thy evening heaven.
O, look not on these festive hours as monitors unkind,
That mark how much of life's short road thy steps have left behind;
Rather, like green and shady spots along our weary way,
They offer rest to those who bear the burden of the day.
That mark how much of life's short road thy steps have left behind;
Rather, like green and shady spots along our weary way,
They offer rest to those who bear the burden of the day.
| The poems of Mrs. Emma Catherine Embury | |