The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-12-20
THE IRON GATE,

Read by Oliver Wendell Holmes at breakfast
given in honor of the SEVENTEEN anniversary OF
his b.rta.
where is this patriarch you are kindly greeting
Not unfamiliar TO my ear his name.
-Sor yet unknswD TO many 3 iOvcHs meeting
In days long yanished-is BE still the same,
Or changed by yesrs, forgotten and forgetting,
Dlll-eared, dim-sighted, slow OF speech and
thought,
shll Ger ue sad, degenerate present fretting.
WheTc all goes wIong and nothing as it ought?
Old age, the gray beard-wen indeed know him
0nrunk tottering, bent, OF aches and ills tbs
In sernon, story faole, picture, poem
oit nave met him ffom my earliest day.
In my old Esop, toiling with his bundle.
dis load OF sticks politely asking death
VINO cones when called for-would he lrg or trun.
His fsgos Tor him? He was rrs2lt of BREATH
And sad " E2cclesa.tes, or the preacher"-
has ne not stamped the image on my soul
IN tf2t last chapter, where the WORKOUT teacher
Signs c'eT tae loose1eo cord-the broken bowl?
Ees long indeed I've known MIN at a dist nee,
and row nay lifted &uor latch shows him here;
take his shriyelei hand without resistance
And fad h'R' smiling as his s.ep draws near.
Whist th5ugh Ct gilded baubIes he berea7es rs
D esgto the heart of youth, to Iuanhood's prime
mink o. the calm ne brings the wealth he leaves
The heardei spells, the legacles OF time.
affairs once flaming, still with incense fragrant,
Passion uneasy nUrslirgs rocked asleep;
dope' anchor faster, Wild desire less warrant
: I. 'Ss no" less noisy, bit the s.ream-how deep!
STILL as the si9 yer cord 9o+s worn and s1arao-
lts ilghtHet taskwork tugs with lessening strain
i aus seS more hopeful, voices grow more tender
with their softened tones the sumbrous
A'oth ION, longs and Manhood strives, but Age renem-
:, Sits by the raked-up ashes Of the past;
0preadS Its thin hanas above the whiteni ng emil
hAt warm It's creeping life blood till the last
Dear to his heart is every loving token
hat comes unbidden ere its pulse grows cold;
Ere the last lingering ties of life are broken,
It's labors ended and its story told.
All when around us rosy youth rejoices,
FOR US the sOrrow-laden breezes sigh
And through the cherus of its iocund voicss
Ihrobs the sharp noe Of Misery's hopeless cry.
As on the gpuzy wings of fancy, flying
:, rom ss-ne far orb, track our watery sphere
home Of the struggling, suffering, doubling,
The silyeTTed globule seems gIistening tear
But nature lends her mirror of illusion
10 win from saddening scenes our age-dimmed
and misty day dreams blend in sweet confusion
To wlntery landscapes and the summer skies.
90 whea the iron portal shuts behind Us
And life forgets in it, noise and vhirl,
Visions that stunned the glazing MONDAY find us,
And gimmering starlight strews the gates OF
pearl.
/ come not here your morning hour TO sadden
limping pilgrim leaning on his staff
who have never deemed il sin TO gladden.
The va of sorrow with wholesome laugh.
X word OF mine auOthers gloom has frightened
Through my dumb lips the heayen-sent message
came
y hand OF mine another task has lighteued
1t felt the guidance that II dares not claim.
But Oh my gentle sisters-Oh my brothers,
These thick-soWn snowhske5 hint OF tolls release;
These feeble pulses bid me leave to others
The tasks once acknowledging asks for
peace.
Time claims his tribute; silence now is golden;
Let me not veX the tO5 long suffering lyre;
Though p your love untiring still baholden
The curie tells Uncover up the fire.
And now with grateful smile and accent is cheerful
And rarmer heart THAI 10 k or word can tell,
In simplest phrase-theye trait 'r0us eyes are
fearful
Thanks-brothers sisters, children; and farewell.