Classic Poem

Another year — another year!
Sinks in Time's hidden stream,
And all its actions pass away,
As shadows in a dream. —
Still on the tide of thought 'twill rise,
And glide before our fancy's eyes.

Another year — another year!
Comes wheeling from afar,
And springs from out the eastern sky.
In radiant gleaming car. —
And it shall walk around the world,
And then be to oblivion hurled.

Thus time and time, and year and year,
Unheeded fleet away;
And we are quickly hastening on
To the abode of clay. —
Where, — like the seasons just gone by, —
Estranged to memory we may lie.

How many of those friends we loved
Are silent since the last! —
How many, who with us rejoiced,
Have from this vision passed!
And we must also follow soon,
Those who have perished in life's noon.

Ah! could we know the sea of tears
Which grief has caused to flow;
The sighs — the losses, and the fears
Of bosoms tinged with wo;
Well might we marvel at the sound,
And gaze with rending eyelids round.

'Tis well we dream not of the hours
Maturer age may bring,
Embittered with affliction's sours
On time's unwelcome wing: —
For if we did, alas! alas!
Our days in misery would pass.