THE OLD YEAR.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2417, 7 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE OLD YEAR.

Tho old year lay a-dying, His hours were numbered now, And his fast failing pulses, Tlirobb'd heavily and slow. Closer! were the lids upon his eyes, I'aln was his check and wan, And round his damp and pallid brow, The gray locks lifeless hung. His pale thin hands together, Wore folded on his broaat, As one who, worn and worried, Had lain him down to rest. And round that solemn death-bod, On light aerial wing, Were seen celestial spirits, Must gently mourning him. And spirit forms of dead and gone, While ore tho old year sped, Were knelt around, with uplift hands, Watching beside his bod. Waiting, to bear him silently To tho dark tomb away To vest, with years had gono before, And they around to lay. But one unseemly wightfwas thore, No silent spirit ho, Who, leapt and tumbled, toss'd and tore, And laughed hilariously. No sorrow hushed his boisterous mirth, Or checked his wildest dance, And oft upon that form, his eye Fell, with impatient glance. The last breath sped, forth from the room He sprang, with shout and cheer, "Come greet me all, both great and small ¥or I'm the glad New Year." Hamilton I.D.