The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter With an Introduction by Charles Dickens |
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THE OLD YEAR'S BLESSING. |
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 | The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter |  |
415
THE OLD YEAR'S BLESSING.
I am fading from you,
But one draweth near,
Called the Angel-guardian
Of the coming year.
But one draweth near,
Called the Angel-guardian
Of the coming year.
If my gifts and graces
Coldly you forget,
Let the New Year's Angel
Bless and crown them yet.
Coldly you forget,
Let the New Year's Angel
Bless and crown them yet.
For we work together;
He and I are one:
Let him end and perfect
All I leave undone.
He and I are one:
Let him end and perfect
All I leave undone.
I brought Good Desires,
Though as yet but seeds;
Let the New Year make them
Blossom into Deeds.
Though as yet but seeds;
Let the New Year make them
Blossom into Deeds.
I brought Joy to brighten
Many happy days;
Let the New Year's Angel
Turn it into Praise.
Many happy days;
Let the New Year's Angel
Turn it into Praise.
416
If I gave you Sickness,
If I brought you Care,
Let him make one Patience,
And the other Prayer.
If I brought you Care,
Let him make one Patience,
And the other Prayer.
Where I brought you Sorrow,
Through His care, at length,
It may rise triumphant
Into future Strength.
Through His care, at length,
It may rise triumphant
Into future Strength.
If I brought you Plenty,
All wealth's bounteous charms,
Shall not the New Angel
Turn them into Alms?
All wealth's bounteous charms,
Shall not the New Angel
Turn them into Alms?
I gave Health and Leisure,
Skill, to dream and plan,
Let him make them nobler;—
Work for God and Man.
Skill, to dream and plan,
Let him make them nobler;—
Work for God and Man.
If I broke your Idols,
Showed you they were dust,
Let him turn the Knowledge
Into heavenly Trust.
Showed you they were dust,
Let him turn the Knowledge
Into heavenly Trust.
If I brought Temptation,
Let sin die away
Into boundless Pity
For all hearts that stray.
Let sin die away
Into boundless Pity
For all hearts that stray.
417
If your list of Errors
Dark and long appears,
Let this new-born Monarch
Melt them into Tears.
Dark and long appears,
Let this new-born Monarch
Melt them into Tears.
May you hold this Angel
Dearer than the last,—
So I bless his Future,
While he crowns my Past.
Dearer than the last,—
So I bless his Future,
While he crowns my Past.
| The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter | |