Words:
A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
{image of holly and two robins,
with words below:}
A HAPPY NEW YEAR
OLD TIME HAS TURNED ANOTHER PAGE
OF ETERNITY AND TRUTH;
HE READS WITH A WARNING VOICE OF AGE,
AND WHISPERS A LESSON TO YOUTH.
A YEAR HAS FLED O'ER HEART AND HEAD
SINCE LAST THE YULE LOG BURNT;
AND WE HAVE A TASK, TO CLOSELY ASK
WHAT THE BOSOM AND BRAIN HAVE LEARNT?
OH, LET US HOPE THAT OUR SANDS HAVE RUN
WITH WISDOM'S PRECIOUS GRAINS;
OH, MAY WE FIND THAT OUR HANDS HAVE DONE
SOME WORK OF GLORIOUS PAINS;
THEN A WELCOME AND CHEER TO THE MERRY NEW YEAR
WHILE THE HOLLY GLEAMS ABOVE US;
WITH A PARDON FOR THE FOES WHO HATE,
AND A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO LOVE US:
WE MAY HAVE SEEN SOME LOVED ONES PASS
TO THE LAND OF HALLOWED REST;
WE MAY MISS THE GLOW OF AN HONEST BROW
AND THE WARMTH OF A FRIENDLY BREAST;
BUT IF WE NURSED THEM WHILE ON EARTH
WITH HEARTS ALL TRUE AND KIND;
WILL THEIR SPIRITS BLAME THE SINLESS MIRTH
OF THOSE TRUE HEARTS LEFT BEHIND;
NO, NO; IT WERE NOT WELL OR WISE
TO MOURN WITH ENDLESS PAIN;
THERE'S A BETTER WORLD BEYOND THE SKIES
WHERE THE GOOD SHALL MEET AGAIN.
THEN A WELCOME AND CHEER TO THE MERRY NEW YEAR
WHILE THE HOLLY GLEAMS ABOVE US;
WITH A PARDON FOR THE FOES WHO HATE,
AND A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO LOVE US:
HAVE OUR DAYS ROLLED ON SERENELY FREE
FROM SORROW'S DIM ALLOY;
DO WE STILL POSSESS THE GIFTS THAT BLESS
AND FILL OUR SOULS WITH JOY?
ARE THE CREATURES DEAR STILL CLINGING NEAR
DO WE HEAR LOVED VOICES COME;
DO WE GAZE ON EYES WHOSE GLANCES SHED
A HALO ROUND OUR HOME?
OH, IF WE DO, LET THANKS BE POURED
TO HIM WHO HATH SPARED AND GIVEN
AND FORGET NOT O'ER THE FESTIVE BOARD
THE MERCIES HELD FROM HEAVEN,
THEN A WELCOME AND CHEER TO THE MERRY NEW YEAR
WHILE THE HOLLY GLEAMS ABOVE US;
WITH A PARDON FOR THE FOES WHO HATE,
AND A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO LOVE US:
ELIZA COOK.
