Classic Poem

ADDRESSED TO QUEEN VICTORIA

Once more hath Time's revolving flight,
Which knows no stop, and brooks no stay,
From busy day, or silent night,
Brought us another " New-year's Day: "
And I, who oft, with votive lay,
Have heralded the new-born year,
Once more feel bound my debt to pay,
Although with trembling, and in fear.

For who that has attain'd threescore,
And upwards, — glancing to the past,
Conning the future, too, once more,
And conscious that life's sands ebb fast,
While clouds his evening sky o'er-cast,
But well may feel — that as to all
An hour must come, of life the last!
How soon the night round him may fall!

But this must be as God shall will!
Suns rise, and set; moons wax, and wane;
Stars hold their onward courses still;
And ebbs and flows the mighty main;
The trees, now leafless on the plain,
Shall bud and blossom with the Spring;
And Summer deck with flowers again
Valley, and hill, where wild birds sing.

Hope springs perpetual in the breast,
That one more year may yet be ours;
And though this cannot be our rest,
Life's roughest paths have still their flowers;
E'en through the cloud that darkest lours
Some gleams of sunshine find their way;
The dreaded storm goes off in showers,
And, once more, all around looks gay

Hence, e'en in seasons dark and drear,
When Winter binds the frozen earth,
By many a blazing fire we hear
The blythesome laugh of joyous mirth:
And, round the cheerful household hearth,
The kindly wish, the look, the word,
Call'd forth in spite of Nature's dearth,
Are kindling, as a fire just stirr'd!

It is the season of the year
When thoughts and feelings, apt to roam
While groves are green and skies are clear,
Up-gather, and unfold at home!
In lowly hut, or lordly dome,
Greetings of glee are interchanged;
E'en wandereis on the salt sea-foam,
From kindred seem no more estranged.

They gaily trim their cabin fire,
And think of those — who, by the light
Of their own hearths, now blazing higher,
To hail this festal day and night,
With many a jocund New-year rite,
And thoughts nor tide nor time can stem,
Their home-bound memories now requite,
And turn, instinctively, to them.

Hail to the time! when social joys,
In which the humblest have their part,
Give birth to bliss which seldom cloys,
But binds more closely heart to heart;
And if unbidden tears may start
At gaps, by death or absence made,
A better hope will cheer the heart
Of unions that shall never fade

What marvel, then, if at this time,
That English hearts, in grief, or glee,
Hallow'd by many a midnight chime,
Brighten'd by many a holly-tree,
With its green leaves, and berries free
To glisten in home's happy smiles,
My heart should fondly turn to THEE ,
Who rulest o'er our sea-girt Isles?

Where are the links that home endear,
The joys which gladden its fire-side,
More fondly loved and prized than here,
Search where you will the world so wide?
Such in their purer bliss, and pride,
Thy CONSORT'S, CHILDREN'S smiles inspire;
With such is evermore allied
The memory of THY NOBLE SIRE !

To the true soul of England's Queen,
In English hearts and homes to live,
And rule them with a sway serene,
Should be a proud prerogative
A WIFE , a MOTHER , must receive
From empery so pure and high,
A joy the sceptre cannot give,
Nor all the pomp of courts supply.

The loyalty that owes its birth
To happy hearts — must far transcend,
And boast a higher, purer worth,
Than common homage can pretend;
For thoughts and feelings with it blend,
Which have their origin above!
And ever to their birth-place tend,
Whose loyalty is based on love.

Then may this coming year — to THEE ,
And THINE , with every good be fraught;
From shore to shore, from sea to sea,
May seeming ill be overwrought,
And into such subjection brought,
By Him who loves to guard the right,
That skies now dark to boding thought,
May round thee beam in cloudless light.