Lady , since Fate's austere behest
Forbids thy friend to be thy guest,
To mingle with the festal throng,
Or twine the dance, or list the song;
This note, vicarious, presents
An absentee's kind compliments,
And tenders thee a simple lay,
In honor of thy natal day.

Thy halls, this eve, are glitt'ring bright;
Thy heart is throbbing with delight.
The young, the gay, the fond, and fair,
In buoyant hope assembled there,
With many a cheerful word and smile,
Thy swift-wing'd vesper hours beguile,
And gather round, in rich array,
To greet thee on thy natal day.

I may not speak the greeting word,
My voice among them not be heard;
I may not watch thy sparkling eye,
Nor drink thy murmuring melody;
But none would greet thee more sincere,
And none will prize thy worth more dear,
Of all who anxious strive to pay
This tribute to thy natal day.

A sterner lot is mine to bear, —
Not sad, nor yet devoid of care.
Prompted, adventurous, to roam,
Leaving dear kindred, and sweet home,
Another land these feet may tread,
A milder sky be o'er me spread,
And duty call me far away,
Ere shall return thy natal day.

But each revolving year will bring
Long time to thee a brighter spring;
Nor winter chill thy blooming pow'rs,
Nursed in affection's fondest bow'rs,
Till summer shall mature the mind,
Thus early cultured and refined,
And intellectual fruits display,
Each autumn , with thy natal day.

I would not ape the Laureat's task,
I may not wear the flatterer's mask;
But, gentle lady, may'st thou live
Long in all bliss that earth can give,
Till soft as fades life's twilight even,
Regenerate, thou smile — in Heaven.
Thus ever will the minstrel pray
For blessings on thy natal day.