Poems (Sharpless)/A New Year Hymn
A NEW YEAR HYMN
Welcome, oh dark veiled guest! whose stealthy feet Swift, unreturning, at our fireside pause; Joyous we greet thee, knowing not what causeOf joy be ours, ere thy passage fleet;Whether thy days be bitter, sad, or sweet, We welcome what thou bring'st, whate'er it be, Loving and trusting Him who ruleth thee.
Thou com'st a fresh, fair gift, unmarred by aught Of human passions; ere thy course be told, What sorrows and what cares shall make thee old!Weighing thee heavily with anxious thought,A sombre robe of human feeling wrought. Yet not in vain; oh no, 'tis not in vain, This spelling of life's task in care and pain.
Not with faint courage do we bid thee, hail! Beyond thy rule, beyond all such as thou We see a guerdon for the teaching now, We con a splendid issue to life's tale;And a clear faith, and hope that cannot fail, Whisper: "Be patient, when the years shall cease, Sweet is the victory, sweet God's perfect peace."