The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-26
Ttq llatl9 ltl9 Aelus.
SATURDAY. MORNING, JANUARY &c, 1867.
ssSIXTY-THREE."

We trust that our readers will be as much
alarmed with tho poem-the "Chaunt OF Sixty
;hreen-which no publish below, as wc have been;
md that our sages Of three-scoro and over VIII
ind in it's moral o chooring stimulus, helpine
hem to endure, with equal patience and courage,
the burden Of years, and Of their present condl-
lion. This poem is from the pen OF MIS-. fAssh .
htnpnaueH DOWNING, one Of the most charming OF
the lady writer's of oun well beloved sister, the
oood old North State, to whom bc all prosperity
and honor, Mrs. DOWNING is not so well known
in our circles as she should be. Her writings
both in prose and verse, well entitle her to their
and most afectionate welcome. But
We must no longer delsy our readers in the enjoy
ment Of this graceful poem.
A Chaunt Of ssSixty-Thrsc."
Yes. know, my hair is white,
All its chestnut turned to SNOW,
But my spirits dance as light,
AS at forty years ago!
Forty years-why, let me see,
was then just twenty-three
Forty yearsI 1t seems week
since felt myself q man
Earth before ME. so to speak,
life in earnest then began
Life meant marhood, 1nirth and glse,
And the joys OF twenty-three
Forty years l-ah well-a-day,
Times wild horses rn.l 30 fast,
Make we all the haste We msy,
He viii beat us ut the last!
I've been standing still while ho
Forty adds to twenty-threel
Well, make my bow to Time,
Pat him gently on the back;
He has taken manhoods prime
Taken youth; but I've no lack
OF his pleasures, frank and free,
Though be makes me Rixty-thrce!
Si1ty-three-a ripe old agei-
IT'S not every plant, ween,
That can stand the winters rage
Three-Bcere years, and yet be greenl
Rooted like some strong OAK tee
car well be sixty-tblee!
Sixty-three-'ts wisdoms age,
Rich with all the varied lore
OF experience; III engage,
Each communing with h6r store,
- Like divar In the sen,
Brings up pearls for sXty-tnreo!
And I'll whisper in your eur,
Many pleasure 10 me lows
which youths season never knowsl
All the women folks cgree
There's no harm In sixty y-threel
There's no harm-'tis not arniss,
I see pretty lip,
To salute It with ktss
And it's rosy sweetness sip.
While the brightest eyes may be
Fearless turned on sixty.three
Stately Margaret, laughing Lou,
Gentle Alice, queen-ike Maud,
Romping kate, and saucy Sue,
ali my ages rights accord
Slipping honey like bee:.
Who would not be si1ty.three!
sixty.three-T'nh bale and strong,
And my heart 1s true and warm,
Cheerful as Christmas song,
Treasuring good, unheed1ng harm;
Fleet of foot, and firm OF knee,
2 80. What care for Hxty-threel
have tried to spend my life,
AS take it all men should,
Passing pure through passions Strife
Stunning evil seeking good
Catching sunshine, lot it be
at sixteen. or sixty-th
Many sorcow have known
Many pang has rack'd my heart,
But no outward sigh or moan
HAS expressed the inward smart-
Many g youth has wished that be
Held the calm Of sixty y.three "
a 'Twss not that felt them less,
But the very woe they wrought
By its own severe e1coss,
Peace and balm and healing brought.
And il this their influence be,
Who 30 wise as sl1ty-three
Then my sorrows made me feel
Fellowship in others grief,
And by Kindly acts reveal
Sympathy, or give relief;
So that sufferers feel and see
Soothing charms in sixty-three.
And I trust as Time speeds on,
And the rapid moments roll
Up to the eternal dawn,
The great Maker Of my soul,
=. May adjudge it this decree:
ssWeu done servant-rest with me IT,