BLEST
Dec. 1865
Sinking to thine eternal rest,
O dying Year! I call thee blest;
Blest as no coming year may be
This side of vast Eternity!
O dying Year! I call thee blest;
Blest as no coming year may be
This side of vast Eternity!
Thy cheek is pale, thy brow is worn;
Thine arms are weary, that have borne
The heaviest burdens ever laid
On any, since the world was made.
Thine arms are weary, that have borne
The heaviest burdens ever laid
On any, since the world was made.
But thou didst know her whom to-day
My fond heart mourns, and must alway;
She loved thee, claimed thee, called thee dear,
Hailing with joy the glad New Year!
My fond heart mourns, and must alway;
She loved thee, claimed thee, called thee dear,
Hailing with joy the glad New Year!
Thou didst behold her, fair and good,
The perfect flower of womanhood;
Simple and pure in thought and deed,
Yet strong in every hour of need.
The perfect flower of womanhood;
Simple and pure in thought and deed,
Yet strong in every hour of need.
Ah! other years shall come and go,
Bidding the sweet June roses blow;
But never on their yearning eyes
Shall her fair presence once arise!
Bidding the sweet June roses blow;
But never on their yearning eyes
Shall her fair presence once arise!
The Spring shall miss her, and the long,
Bright Summer days hear not her song;
And hoary Winter, draped in snow,
Finding her not, shall haste to go!
Bright Summer days hear not her song;
And hoary Winter, draped in snow,
Finding her not, shall haste to go!
Therefore, Old Year, I call thee blest,
Thus sinking to eternal rest;
Blest as no other Year may be
This side of vast Eternity!
Thus sinking to eternal rest;
Blest as no other Year may be
This side of vast Eternity!