Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | ||
53
TO THE NEW YEAR.
Welcome! should I welcome thee,
Year new born from time's deep stream;
Hast thou unalloyed for me
Blessings like my early dream?
Year new born from time's deep stream;
Hast thou unalloyed for me
Blessings like my early dream?
Is thy sun as radiant—bright,
As it shone in childhood's time?
Have thy stars that mystic light?
Speak they to this heart of mine
As it shone in childhood's time?
Have thy stars that mystic light?
Speak they to this heart of mine
As they did in days of yore?—
Where are now the blissful hours,
Friendship's early bosom store,
Youth enwreaths, and haunts and dow'rs?
Where are now the blissful hours,
Friendship's early bosom store,
Youth enwreaths, and haunts and dow'rs?
54
All is changed with thee—with me;
Sadder is thine aspect now:
Darkly twines the cypress tree
Round my weary heart and brow.
Sadder is thine aspect now:
Darkly twines the cypress tree
Round my weary heart and brow.
Gone the light of other years,
Stars keep watch above the dead;
Flowers, ah! ye are gem'd by tears,
My girlhood's dream for ever fled.
Stars keep watch above the dead;
Flowers, ah! ye are gem'd by tears,
My girlhood's dream for ever fled.
Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | ||