THE OLD AND NEW YEARS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1014, 31 December 1879, Page 2

THE OLD AND NEW YEARS.

Part I-. Low and gentle evening breeze, Waft to the eternal seas , Through the lingering mists of day The year passing now away ) Noiseless move on, mighty stream, As if hush'd in blissful dream ! Thy waters play o'er fall, and brake Soft as dew-drops touch the lake* Flyon, night-owl! hide your head, As if mourning for the dead ! Songs must cease, and sportive play As the Old Year fades away. Part n. How things change in a little time, Our villiage can attest : Where now gay structures rise sublime, Was once but dreary waste ; No sign of footfall) track, or trail Was e'er seen high or low \ But woodlands wild to breast the gale-- 1 About ten years ago. Perchance on yon bold tow'ring peak, O'erlaid by snow*white leaf, Some hideous demon came to seek For solace in his grief ; And as his sullen eye o'erran The treasure fields below", Enjoyed the snare was laid for matt, About ten years ago. The angels Hope and Charity Their vigil cast aside, With flowing wings went soaring free, In fairer worlds to hide, While, as they flew, the simple words Were spoke, serene and low, " Help, Lord, the being this stream who fords, About ten years ago»" Part 111. Young men and maidens 1 ye who too oft Bail Down pleasure's stream, now pairae and heed life's gale I The year that's passing swiftly overhead Should bring some thought of lov'd one¥ lowly laid. And to old age must I now speak the truth, Who play the part of simple-minded youth} Beware! nor tempt too rashly Time's rude wave '. A fragile plank but holds you from the grave. Part TV. All hail, bright Phoebus! rise with golden beams, And scatter thunder-clouds and uncouth dreams From mind and vision to the wintry winds, He who brooks o'er sorrows, too oft finds They mar due pleasures of a New Year's Day, By dwelling on what's long past and away. Let brighter scenes now penetrate the mind And Cast these darker shadows far behind. But to the piously inclined these words we say, Down on your knees, and with all fervoui? pray, While the keen Votaries of the coming year May herald its presende With a ringing" cheer : A lit-up eye, a cup of sparkling wine, A friendly shake :'a song for "Auld lang syne." NoSptjr.