Give a moment's heed to me,

I would ask a thing of thee.

Neighbor, days and months have fled,

Seasons one by one have sped,

And to-night I greet thee here

At the passing of the year.

'Tis the time of reckoning now,

Of new resolves and annual vow;

Time of straightening ugly crooks,

And careful balancing of books.

Pardon if I now demand

How accounts of thine may stand;

Hast thou rendered, fair and true,

Unto every man his due?

Hast thou given timely heed

To thy poorer brother's need?

Hath thy strong arm been a stay

To the weaker on the way?

When didst thou a joy impart

To thy sister, sad at heart!

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