Ladies’ Express.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 949, 4 June 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ladies’ Express.

BIRTHDAY ODD [original]. Oft may this day return my boy, And crown each year with increased joy ; Whichever way thy path incline, May every happiness be thine. Thy father’s blessing on thy head That Heaven its favors e’er may shed ; Upon thy lips thy mother’s kiss, Ah ! doting love, akin to bliss ! In the dark future both may pass As fleeting shadows o’er the grass, And mem’ry scarce recall a tone Of those who call thee now their own. Still may our tender, fostering care Thy opening intellect prepare, As husbandman his scanty field, That rich may be the harvest’s yield. So young and guileless art thou now— Truth stands enthroned upon thy brow ; The beam of Hope, the light of Love, Bespeak the spirit from above. Thy little heart no malice bears, Nor feels the great world’s pond’rous cares ; In innocent and harmless joy Passes each day, with thee, my boy. But in the future who can say What evils may beset thy way ? Whether ’twill be thy happy fate The good and just to emulate ; And thus, beloved and honored, rise, Respected in admiring eyes; Or sink into a life of shame Wrecked in fair fortune, and in fame ? Thy puny form to manhood grown May be to honor all unknown ; Thy energies to evil turned Too late may find the truth is learned. Would that I could thy future trace And ever guide thee in life’s race ; But since ’tis not to mortal given I can but leave thy fate to Heaven !

God bless the day which saw thy birth, Which started thy career on earth ; May He thy ev’ry moment bless, And give thee life-long happiness. And when thy barque shall near that sho Whence it shall sail ah ! never more, May He receive thy parting breath And guide thee through the Vale of Deat When shadows lift from that dark night For ever to be lost in light, May He, my boy, bid thee arise And welcome thee to Paradise ; There, ’mid the Angel throng, to raise Thy voice in everlasting praise To Him thy Heavenly Father, Friend Thy God through ages ne’er to end ! F.J.P. Gisborne, N.Z., 27th May, 1881.