The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-01-27
Poetry,
For tho Caledoninn.
TIE DEPARTURE OF THE OLD YEAR, AND
TIIE BlR1H OF THE NEW.

TIE BIRTH OF THE NEW
The yeOr ut length has gone; with noseess tread
1t pissed from Earth away-os goes the breath
| or being, from the body when disease
| That monster OF 80 foul n mein-has grnspcd,
And broken all the gentle strings Of life.
Clad in n Rowiag robe Of snowy whie
The old and totlering veteran took his leave
or earth, and earthly thngs,-and not a sigh
(Uncss some signing zephyr spoke of grier,)
Told, sat his departure he ioas sad
His hond was crowned with long and hoary hair,
That waved majestic in the evening wind,
And from his rudo and shapeless growth Of beard,
Hugo cices depended FAR, whose weight,
Did almost bend tho weak old man to enrlh
Above his silvered head, spiral wreath
or frozen breath was gently rising high,
UnmiSing with the air through which it passed,
As If polluted with some noxiOus thing; -
1t rose-as rises from the chimney's top,
The wreath of smoke on winters cherries day,
When chilled the atmosphere appears scorns
The heated current that is passing through.
Behind he did not lookout on he pressed
With slow bu, steady pace, his gloomy way,
Obedicnt to the stern decree of Fate.
And as he passed he carried giCts from earM,
Which, al his birth, he brought for those who seek
Their consultations in the giG of Time.
From some he took The joys of wealth or rame-
Those things that please awhile, ;hen fit away,
AS flies the cloud before the mornings sun
From some he snatched away valued friend
Whose heart was bound by every social tic,
To be his partner through the land of shades,
From oherS, health and happiness he took
And left them filled with misery and grcf
While from host Of hale and honest hearts
lie stole what he had not bestowed their lirc
OH fell and mercilcss old mau.-to steal
From sons of earth their best-their choicest gifts
And leave them sad aud destitute and lone
Yet such is Time lie shows no mercy to
The gay, the fair, the proud, !ie young, but robs
Them all alike Of all That's good, or
Valuable in life, and even more,
lie robs of Life itself
Close on the heels of this gray .hended man.
A slender, beardIOs' youth was trudging on,
Ills fdter's robe was partly DER him flung
To screen his tender being from the cold
On flakes Of stainless snow he softly trod-
As soft as fary's dance upon the ea;-
And as the gray old man did reach the bounds,
or earth, his beardless follower started back,
And, pulling from his fathers limbs his robe
Approached, with wary step, the throne Of time,
And claims its croWn and sceptre for his opn.
turned TO the veteran Chief-but no
Had plunged into the gull, that separates
Eternity from ITms,-aad nsrer more
Wds seen.
His youthful child had come with gifts
Such as his father brought, TO sons of earth,
To reconcile them to his future reign
Upon his gentle brow a smile was traced,
pure as that that plays maiiea's cheek
When to her lovers heart, hor form is pressed
In all the ecstNces of earnest love.
Twas beautiful to the wary boy
Assume the rights and dignity of man,
And watch with anxious eye his wide domains,
That no ntrudng foe invade his bounds.
To all a New Years Gift he brouglh;-to some,
He gave the blessings, health and happiness;
To others friends with hearts sincere and true,
To cheer through life their sad and lonely way.
Thus time is ever travelling on; for Time, is
A steady traveller to eternity;
And deep into that fdthomless abyss
Doth ever plunge to swell its mighty tide.
Dartmouth Collere, Jan ID iS45 ID.