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FOR THE BIRTHDAY OF WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS
March 1, 1912
Seventy-five glad years of blessing,
And the hope of blessing more;
Memories the heart caressing,
Dreams that beckoning wait, before;
Life—full life, made rich by giving:
Life that can create, and lend
To the poor—delight in living,
To the lonely—many a friend
Wisdom that can teach through laughter—
Seeming but to entertain,
Or through pathos which, thereafter,
Leaves no dull, regretful pain;
Years of blessing, years of kindness,
And the courage that can smile
Though the eyes be dim to blindness
With a sorrow, hid the while,—
These are thine, thou selfless schemer,
Chanter of brave carmina:
These thy gifts to us, dear dreamer,—
Traveler from Altruria.
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