ODE TO THE NEW YEAR.
BY
A Gentleman of Literary Habits
and Means.
For the Every-day Book.
All hail to the birth of the year,
See golden haired Phœbus afar;
Prepares to renew his career,
And is mounting his dew spangled car.
Stern Winter congeals every brook,
That murmured so lately with glee;
And places a snowy peruke,
On the head of each bald pated tree.
Now wild duck and widgeon abound,
Snipes sit by the half frozen rills
Where woodcocks are frequently found,
That sport such amazing long bills.
The winds blow out shrilly and hoarse,
And the rivers are choking with ice;
And it comes as a matter of course,
That Wallsends are rising in price.
Alas! for the poor! as unwilling
I gaze on each famishing group;
I never miss giving a shilling,
To the parish subscription for soup.
The wood pigeon, sacred to love,
Is wheeling in circles on high;
How charming he looks in the grove!
How charming he looks in the pie!