University of Virginia Library


39

EIGHTEEN.

To Mary:
Our life is like a river,
Ne'er ceasing in its flow,—
It rushes on forever,—
The swift years come and go,
Bearing us on their current,
To happiness or woe.
May yours be spent in wisdom,
In profitable employ;
May deepest peace and freedom,
And happiness and joy
Flow on for you, my sister,
And trouble ne'er annoy.
And when the domes and mansions
Immortal may be seen,
When but the River Jordan,
So peaceful intervenes,
May you be just as hopeful
As when you were eighteen!