A New-Pear Wish.
MOST WARMLY INSCRIBED TO R——— B———.
Child of the blue and sparkling eye, and love-inspiring mein,
Thou of the clear and stainless brow, where strays each azure vein,
Fair is thy pleasure-beaming face, thy tones are fraught with joy,
As new-born winds which greet young flowers 'neath spring time's azure sky;
Sport on, thou light and lovely thing, this is the time of mirth,
When voices blend in many a strain to hail the new- year's birth.
Old '49 hath passed away, young '50 now appears,
To smile upon thy downy brow, child of four sunny years;
Now whilst around that happy hearth thou mov'st, its life and glee,
Whilst kind hands pat thy little head, and raise thee to the knee,
And whilst they hear thy merry laugh, and childhood's prattling tongue,
And smile, amazed that wisdom's words should flow from lips so young;
Who bless thy little joy-lit face, in infant beauty clad,
And, listening to their baby mirth, feel their own souls made glad.
Oh, yes! while float around thee, boy, kind wishes, all sincere—
Mine I would offer fervently, "To thee a happy year."
Thou of the clear and stainless brow, where strays each azure vein,
Fair is thy pleasure-beaming face, thy tones are fraught with joy,
As new-born winds which greet young flowers 'neath spring time's azure sky;
Sport on, thou light and lovely thing, this is the time of mirth,
When voices blend in many a strain to hail the new- year's birth.
Old '49 hath passed away, young '50 now appears,
To smile upon thy downy brow, child of four sunny years;
Now whilst around that happy hearth thou mov'st, its life and glee,
Whilst kind hands pat thy little head, and raise thee to the knee,
And whilst they hear thy merry laugh, and childhood's prattling tongue,
And smile, amazed that wisdom's words should flow from lips so young;
Who bless thy little joy-lit face, in infant beauty clad,
And, listening to their baby mirth, feel their own souls made glad.
Oh, yes! while float around thee, boy, kind wishes, all sincere—
Mine I would offer fervently, "To thee a happy year."
A happy year! nay, years of bliss their golden wings out-spread,
Sweet child of many a hope and prayer, above thy guileless head.
May those, the high and kind of heart, whose fostering care is thine,
Whose soul with more than parent's love around thee, boy, entwine,
Long see thee at their hearth and board a pure and joyous thing,
The precious and the bright-eyed gem of their unbroken ring;
With bounding step and gushing heart, and playful laugh to cheer,
And glad the eyes which watch thy path from happy year to year.
Sweet child of many a hope and prayer, above thy guileless head.
May those, the high and kind of heart, whose fostering care is thine,
Whose soul with more than parent's love around thee, boy, entwine,
Long see thee at their hearth and board a pure and joyous thing,
The precious and the bright-eyed gem of their unbroken ring;
With bounding step and gushing heart, and playful laugh to cheer,
And glad the eyes which watch thy path from happy year to year.
Till life's young April hours are left in childhood's vale behind,
And all which now gives promise of a more than common mind
Be fully realised in thee, as through the vale of youth
Thou speed'st, with honour for thy guide, thy close companion truth—
Life's chalice flow to thee and thine as full of earthly bliss
As e'er was raised to human lips in such a world a this;
Be thine, dear boy, true friendship's joy, love, an abundant cheer,
And all that lives in these brief words, "Be thine happy year."
And all which now gives promise of a more than common mind
Be fully realised in thee, as through the vale of youth
Thou speed'st, with honour for thy guide, thy close companion truth—
Life's chalice flow to thee and thine as full of earthly bliss
As e'er was raised to human lips in such a world a this;
Be thine, dear boy, true friendship's joy, love, an abundant cheer,
And all that lives in these brief words, "Be thine happy year."