Page:Poems Acton.djvu/30

Some light and unwrung hearts may know
 But joy while thou art here;
And some may count the weary days
 By Sorrow's blighting tear.

Thou hast pass'd by to humble us
 By stern Affliction's hand—
To render desolate a place
 In many a household band;
Scattering misery around
 On some once smiling spot,
While thou art linking friends, whose names
 Were once remember'd not.

Go! the New Year will read to us
 A yet unopened page;
Perchance to sadden blooming youth—
 Perchance to lighten age.
'Tis meet that we should watch thee die
 With feelings kindly yet:
We know not that a future hour
 We would not fain forget.

Ah, it is therefore we should mark
 With fear thy form depart:
Time, in its changes, may but bring
 A changed and care-worn heart;