O, many fairy castles
The youthful fancy rears!
But when the air dissolves them,
Oft come the bitter tears.
Still, chide them not for building,
Burdens will lighter seem;
And life, with all its shadows,
Be brighter for the dream.
Of what the infant dreameth,
The wisest ne’er may know;
Yet, they must be in dreamland,
When the dimples come and go.
Over a faded blossom,
Or shining curl, we dream,
Till absent forms, through memory,
E’en almost present seem.
Yes, dreams are fraught with blessings,
In love and mercy given;
And oft are golden stairways,
Which draw us nearer heaven.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW
As at sea the eager voyager
Thoughtfully from shore to shore,
Waves farewell to scenes behind him,
Welcomes scenes that rise before;
So I stand upon Time’s ocean,
And, as from my outer view
Fades the old year’s face in glory,
Dawns the new in roseate hue.
Dear old year, forever loyal,
Listen to my thought of thee,
All thou hast been, all thou now art
Wilt thou be in memory.
Summing up my gain and losses,
Do I find my gain is more,
Wider vision, richer friendships
Have been added to my store.
Some, who walked with me, have vanished;
Yet at memory’s holy shrine
Do we meet in sweet communion;
Theirs am I, and they are mine.
For their influence on my journey
Life is sweeter, lighter care,
As the violet’s bloom is brighter
When the dewdrop sparkles there.
Dear Old Year—Lo! thou art vanished,
And here, standing in thy place,
Is the New Year, full of promise,
With the self-same care-free face
Thou did’st wear, when first I knew thee.
Welcome New Year! Hear my vow:
I will trust in all thy future,
And will do thy bidding, now.