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 | The poems of Madison Cawein |  |
268
THE NEW YEAR
Lift up thy torch, O Year, and let us see
What Destiny
Hath made thee heir to, at nativity!—
What Destiny
Hath made thee heir to, at nativity!—
Doubt, some call Faith; and ancient Wrong and Might,
Whom some name Right;
And Darkness, that the purblind world calls Light.
Whom some name Right;
And Darkness, that the purblind world calls Light.
Despair, with Hope's brave form; and Hate, who goes
In Friendship's clothes;
And Joy, the smiling mask of many woes.
In Friendship's clothes;
And Joy, the smiling mask of many woes.
Neglect, whom Merit serves; Lust, to whom, see,
Love bends the knee;
And Selfishness, who preacheth charity.
Love bends the knee;
And Selfishness, who preacheth charity.
Vice, in whose dungeon Virtue lies in chains;
And Cares and Pains,
That on the throne of Pleasure hold their reigns.
And Cares and Pains,
That on the throne of Pleasure hold their reigns.
269
Corruption, known as Honesty; and Fame
That 's but a name;
And Innocence, whose other name is Shame.
That 's but a name;
And Innocence, whose other name is Shame.
And Folly men call Wisdom here, forsooth;
And, like a youth,
Fair Falsehood, whom the many take for Truth.
And, like a youth,
Fair Falsehood, whom the many take for Truth.
Abundance, who hath Famine's house in lease;
And, high 'mid these,
War, blood-black, on the spotless shrine of Peace.
And, high 'mid these,
War, blood-black, on the spotless shrine of Peace.
Lift up thy torch, O Year! make clear our sight!
Deep lies the night
Around us, and God grants us little light!
Deep lies the night
Around us, and God grants us little light!
| The poems of Madison Cawein | |