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Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton

collected and arranged by H. Augusta Dodge

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AN ACROSTIC
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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AN ACROSTIC

May flowers in sweet profusion bloom
Around your path, dear friend;
Roses most bounteously along
Your way, may Heaven send.
Ever may you, by virtue led,
Life's mazes most serenely tread;
Love be the sun that lights your way,
Ever illume the darkest day,
Nor e'er on thee omit to shed an ever brightening ray.
Virtue, dear Mary, brings its own reward,
As other lips than mine have often told;
Rarer than gold or diamonds to be found,
Ne'er given or received, or bought or sold;
E'en in that better world its worth is known,
Yet shines with brilliant lustre in our own.

27

Shall you and I, dear Mary, e'er attain,
As with a rapid step we take our flight
Life's labyrinth through, virtue immaculate,
Even without a single stain that might
Mar its clear, guileless loveliness, or darken its pure light?
May your steps ever wend to that fair goal,
And may it be refreshing to your soul;
Sweetly in this life may you ever dwell,
Still happier, sweeter, in the world above,—farewell!
Mary Abby Dodge. Ipswich, April 27, 1848.