[Pg 27]

 ON NEW YEAR, 1897

TO G. D. AND S. F. B.

God bless you thro' this bright new year,

The first you spend together;

Give peace and trust thro' cloudy days,

Joy in its sunny weather.

And may the days as days go by,

Still richer seem and sweeter,

And passing seasons make your lives

In every good completer.

There are not words to tell the love

In which I could caress you;

Your dear united names I breathe,

And once more pray, God bless you.

 TO ANNA

ON HER SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY

Sixteen! and life to thee looks bright and fair;—

A book unread, rose-tinted, golden edged,

Encased in binding curious, costly, rare;—

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