Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Five years have sped!
Of thy brief life five circling years,
Their mirth and grief, their hopes and fears,
For ever and for ever!
Thou saw'st not, knew'st not, as they passed,
Faint shadows on the surface glassed,
Of Time's deep river.

To live and die!
This is the work before thee set,
Waste on the past no vain regret,
The future lives to thee;
Yet think when Time's long years have run,
Is meted to the deeds then done,
Eternity!

The time is short!
As yet, dear boy, few sins of thine
With the soft opening tendrils twine
Of thy young being!
Approving on thy brow may light,
Still with baptismal dewdrops bright,
The Eye all-seeing.

The time is short!
Five years e'en now have o'er thee past;
Each left thee different from the last,
Each with fresh powers endued thee!
Stronger each year with fresh essay
To draw thee from the narrow way
Ill sprite pursued thee!

Yet fear thou not!
Through senses five though hell assail thee,
Through senses five shall grace avail thee,
In weakness perfect found!
Do thou but to thyself be true,
Nor spell nor fiend aught ill shall do
If grace abound.

Token most true!
Scarce on the angelic feast hath set
The sun which gilds thy birthday treat;
St. Michael's arm defend thee!
Gabriel's soft charm, and Raphael's might,
Cherubic hosts through life's long fight,
For aye attend thee!

Nay, doubt it not;
I see thee now a fair-haired child,
With glance so free and step so wild;
Thy laugh rings loud and clear.
O mayest thou tread thine onward way
Unconscious as thou art this day
Of gloom or fear!

Blest be thy lot!
Soft be thy slumbers, sweet thy dreams,
Glad thoughts to blend with morn's first beams.
Bright be thy boyhood's prime!
And as the lightsome hours glide by,
Be thine to mark without a sigh
The course of time!

It moveth ever!
Boyhood in youth finds early grave,
Manhood and age their turn will have,
Here changes never cease.
Be thine on each swift hour to trace
Lines that nor time nor death efface,—
Then cometh peace!