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Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4658, 8 December 1883, Page 1

Select Poetry.

GROWING OLD.

We are growing old together, John and I; We have seen youth's precious morninsr Swiftly fly; We have seen life's summer bloom, Quick, for autumn shade make room; We have,watched the rustling 1 flight Of life's song-birds out of sight; We have known the hopes and fears Crowding full life's busy years; All the changes, who can tell, ' Since, love rang out our wedding-bel Life's great joy that came we know, " Five-and-twenty years ago!"

We have planned and hoped together, John and*l; We have sowed, to reap together, By-and-bye; Not the good for which we groped, Not the harvest that we hoped, Always waited ; but the frost O'tr" home's threshold ever crossed; Come what might of good or ill, > Mutual love kept shining still; And when life some joy denied Love still found us side by side, With the trust we learned to know " Five-and-twenty years ago I" >

We have lived and toiled together, John and I; We have mourned and wept together, John and I; We have clasped in tender arms Babyhood's sweet, winsdmecharois; And the churchyard holds a name Only John and I can claim; While from childhood's home we miss A father's smile, a mother's kiss, Yet your clinging hearts will say, •:" We will walk life's chosen way— Just the way we learned to know Five-and-twenty years ago!"

" We must walk life's shadowy valley, -. ' John and I; Locks of brown will turn to silver, By-and-bye; Lines will mark the once smooth face, Care and grief will leave their trace; Hands .will not so lightly move, Love by tender tasks to prove; Feet will slow and slower take Countless steps for love's sweet sake; But, dear heart, what can we ask More than this, that age ihay task In love's rays, that brightened so, •' Five-and-twenty years ago."

—Louise s. Upha«.