OCR Text |
Show UPON' THE THRESHOLD. ! Once more we stand with half reluctant feet Upon tire threshold of another year; 1 That line where Past and Present seem to meet ' In stronger contrast than they do elsewhere, else-where, f i ' Look bnck a moment. Docs the prospect " please. ; Or does iho weary heart but sigh re- Fret ?' Can Recollection smile, or, ill at ease With what is past, wish only to forget? Say, Canst thou smile when Memory's lin- periiiff praze Once mine recalls the dying year to siprht? , Woulasi thou live o'er again those enang-3 enang-3 ing da vp, ' Or bid, them fade forever into night? A solemn question, and the faltering j heart Scarce date pay. "Yes," yet will not fjuite uy, "No;" ' , For .)oy ;:nd Salness both hath played their jmrt , In makins up the tale of "long ago.' Here Memory sees the golden sunlight pU-am Across the path of life, and shine awhile: And now the1 picture changes like a dream. And sorrow dims the eyes and ki.ls the f smi'.o. So it has gone where all has gone be-i be-i fore; I The moaning wind has sung the dead ; vear's dirge; t Time's waves roll on against the crumb. ling shore, f J And Mnks the worn-out bark beneath the surf. " Here ends the checkered page of prose I and verse I Of shapely words and Hues writ all i awry. I There thv must stand for better or for I worse; I So., shut the book and bid the year I '-good-bye! |