63
TO MY ELDEST BROTHER,
LIEUTENANT IN THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OF FOOT;
OR, ROYAL WELCH FUZILEERS.
ON HIS COMPLETING HIS TWENTY-FIRST YEAR.
While Hope, the syren fair and gay,
Tells of some future happy day,
Let Pleasure with benignant power,
The empress of the social hour,
Smile on the day to love so dear,
And smile more softly thro' a tear.
Yet, while on fancy's raptur'd sight,
Beam the sweet visions of delight,
For thee affection fondly sighs,
And fears, and doubtful wishes rise:
Yet lovely Hope again appears,
And lifts the veil of distant years.
"For thee," she sings, "shall fancy bloom,
"And love the path of life illume;
"For thee shall health her roses shed,
"And glory's laurels twine thy head.
"Then joy shall drop a precious tear,
"To hail the gallant fuzileer."
