NEW YEAR's WISH

To you, my young friends, while I write, Kind wishes spontaneous arise; And does ought my rude passions excite, They are hush'd by benevolent sighs. A muse, in the form of a Dove, Hovers round, and dispels every fear; She bids me each talent improve To hail you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Her mandates I cheerful obey, As her smiles I would strive to procure; For the lines that my wishes convey, May her favors in future secure. On you, my young friends, may she smile, That your verse may with melody flow; And may joy all your sorrows beguile, Nor an hour be reserved for woe.

When WINTER shall sternly appear, And Nature in gloom be array'd; When the Mariner shudders thro' fear, Lest his bark should by winds be betray'd; Then, in safety, well shelter'd from snow, May you all, putting sorrow aside, In domestic tranquility know All the joys of a social fire-side.

When SPRING in young beauty shall smile, And charm following charm shall unfold; In rapture beholding the while, May your portion be pleasures untold. May each songster that chirps on the spray, May each floweret that blows in the field, For you be more cheerful and gay, For you its choice fragrances yield.

When SUMMER shall sultry advance, And flocks from their sports shall retire; May each youth, who declines the light dance, Your charms, and your virtues admire. May the grape-vine form Arbors of ease, While the eglantine skirts them around; And then may the fresh balmy breeze Waft perfumes from each neighboring ground.

When AUTUMN his treasures shall bring, When each fruit tree shall bend with its load; May your hearts ever gratefully sing, The hand that such blessings bestow'd. Thus sweetly shall time roll away, Nor shall you once wish it in haste; And the YEAR that commences to-day, Far happier shall be than the past.

Then, when WINTERS and SPRINGS shall decay, When SUMMERS and AUTUMNS are o'er, And PHOEBUS, the Prince of the day, Shall wake the glad Seasons no more: To you, each forgeting her mirth, May beauty immortal be given; May you change the faint joys of this earth, For transports uncloying in heaven.