Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-12
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Farewell of the Old Year
BY ESTELLE, OF TIE CIRCLE

Twas midnight! The subjects Of Time
were gathered around to bid adieu t. their
dying monarch-he old Year! Envel-
oped IN his snowy robe, he reclineJ ON =
transparent throne Of Ice. in which raro
inlrrored the thousand stars os I.,.,,cn
i crown OF icicles adorned hi, wr;nLloI
brow, and in his right hand. be held =
silver sceptre. Near him stood his bc,lr-
guard-heJo,tr Seasons. WIsryR. roI,cd
IN sombre garments-a cloud pnap b;o
gloomy features, his frosty locks unroy-
cred, stood boldly forth. By his side was
AUTUMN, arrayed in gorgeous splendor
ana with pleasant countcnancc: but be-
meath the folds of her gay apparel gIittercd
keen-edged sword. Next came SYRrlc
ana SUMNER, IN all their glowing, witchinr
beauty. Spring attired in a misty robe of
the purest white, wreath of lilies. in
winch the new fallen dew-drops were shin
inc, bound her lovely forehead. Snmmcr
bore IN his hands chaplet of fruits and
flowers. But in each garland was en-
twined a tcndril of cvpress-a symbol Of
mourning for the Old Year.
The fallen king gazed mournfnlly around
on his countless hos;s-he opened Lis
"inte and trembling lips and spoke. His
voice was like the hoarsc murmrr of winds
N the forest chambers. FAREWELL sub-
ects Of lime We have served me Welt
SPRING, thou hast unfurlcd thy banner of
emerald over the world and scattered thy
treasures OF sunshine flowers and melody
abroad. SUMNER! ! AUTUMN! WINTER We
nave done your duty faithfnllr-farewail'
Children of Earth, Alden, My mission
with you, is ended. 90 forth conquer
er. My funeral car is adorned with ralms
OF victory and scenes Of human woes and
pleasures are engraven on my Standard
have held the cup of JOY to the eager
lips OF some; and Others have drained ,o
the dregs the bitter chalicc of wormwood
and gall, and have sank down oyerpow-
cred by the deadly draught. Ihaye heard
the merry laughter Of overilowinc hapni-
ness and the wall of voc. 1t was nv ms
sion Some have been raised from tho
starving novels ofpovcrty and now rcveI
taken from velvet conchcs and placed IN
the scanty tencments of the poor. have
placed the orange wreath upon the brows
OF fair Young maidcns and left them in
their happiness; but have sown the hec,
tic Of consumption in checks Of the Young
and beautiful. The light ofsparklirg ewes
has been dashed ont by the finger of
Death! The cypress now waves green
over their graves. ] have seen brave man
hood fiourishing in strength and beauty
the gifted of earth-fall stricken by the
deadly dart. The voice that held spell
bound, countless numbers, was suddenly
hushed the career of triumph was cut
short. Some have found resting place
in torrid sands-others are buried beneath
the blue pillows of old ocean. Flowers /
have scattered in the paths of many
Thorns for the feet of all. But hark!
hear the toll of midnight from the far off
shores ofEternity! 'Tis my funeral knell!
And-Jehold tie New Yeari''
From the glittering forest came the New
Year, deckcd in her bridal robes, and in
her flowing trcsses sparkled and clowcd
the stars of night, holding in one ha:
the purple goblet of JOY, and in the other
the sable chalice of woe. Onward she
came host Of fairies with tiny harps fol-
lowing in her wake. She tripped lightly
up the crystal steps and stood before the
dying Old Year. He slowly raised his
withered arm, and lifting the jewelled
crown from his hoary head, placed it upon
the brow Of the Young Year-and crgiTCd!
Then arose from the fairy hosts a chorus
Of a million voices, and the melody of a
thousand harps joined the song of triumph.