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17
A BIRTHDAY LETTER.
1881.
Dear sister, 'neath a northern sky and on our mother shore,
Another year is fleeting by of your appointed store;
To-day, in England, you will end a well-spent term again,
And so I snatch a quill to send a message o'er the main.
Another year is fleeting by of your appointed store;
To-day, in England, you will end a well-spent term again,
And so I snatch a quill to send a message o'er the main.
In other days I loved to see the smile upon your face,
To hear the laugh of girlish glee and note the kindly grace
Which welcomed with sincere delight each birthday offering,
Alike the jewel, and the mite which Poverty could bring.
To hear the laugh of girlish glee and note the kindly grace
Which welcomed with sincere delight each birthday offering,
Alike the jewel, and the mite which Poverty could bring.
To-day, beneath a southern sun, I dream of what has been,
Of dear old days that now are done, and each familiar scene;
Of tea upon the garden seat, beside the leafy limes,
And all the voices that did greet my ears in other times.
Of dear old days that now are done, and each familiar scene;
Of tea upon the garden seat, beside the leafy limes,
And all the voices that did greet my ears in other times.
To-day between us roll and heave five thousand leagues of foam,
Yet 'tis not easy to believe that I am far from home;
For the same friendly English speech salutes the wanderer's ear,
And English hearts and hopes can reach this southern hemisphere.
Yet 'tis not easy to believe that I am far from home;
For the same friendly English speech salutes the wanderer's ear,
And English hearts and hopes can reach this southern hemisphere.
Good-bye, dear sister! you shall be remember'd well to-night,
We'll drink your health with three times three in champagne beakers bright:
Thus ev'ry year, till by and by I meet you all once more
'Neath the familiar northern sky and on our mother shore.
We'll drink your health with three times three in champagne beakers bright:
Thus ev'ry year, till by and by I meet you all once more
'Neath the familiar northern sky and on our mother shore.
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