The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-01-29
MILLIARIUM AUREUM.
A POEM OF THE PARrISo YEAR

AiLLIARIUM AUREUM.
A PoEN OF THE PARTING YEAR
tThis elegant poem, by sam. L. Simpson, 4
published by request, though not appropriate
al this tme.-ED. NEW NORTH WEST
The crystaied petals OF roseal hours
The remem hered earth relume.
And the world is white with angel flowers,
And garlands OF bridal bloom;
For The year f. mould'ring In ash ar embel
And the wild, wan face Of the drear Decefn De
Is writ With a somber doom.
AS sunset and dawn, with chapIeis meeily
Gsrnish lhe golden day,
And the brow OF age Is clustered sweetly
With the blossom OF long-lost May
The stars still shake from their curling fresse
Inc horal snow That divineiy dresses
The kingdom that passes away.
III.
The grand old monarchs, in cIoister quiet,
ForsoOk the realms they won.
And thus the year, al the welcome fat,
Goes forth discrOWned aud lone
IN the solemn night, as ' II hereafter
ne years VIII follow with moan or laughter
TIL all IS over and done.
".
Once more, Il may be no more forever,
Let US crown the parting year,
And watch and wait till the seas dissever
The guest that leaves rs here;
We, loo, may part, in the glad time coming
When the rose is blown and The bees are hum
Or the grapes are flushed with cheer.
Slowly, around the figured dial
Are swept the silver spears
Slowly and sure, with Gods espial,
Each fateful crisis nears;
And the pendulum. serene and subtle,
is weaving fate, with a rhythmic shuttle,
In a wool OF hopes and fears.
But the web OF life is warm and glowing,
A regal cloth OF gold,
With aliYing luster, full and uoWlnG,
In many a starry fold;
And it burns away the stain Of sorroW,
As the clouded day is the peerless morrow
In sapphire bloom uuroiled-
VII.
or threaded pearls the past is woven
The central orbs' attire,
And the mistcd deeds aud dreams are clOven,
. And kissed with crimson hre;
O'er buds that bOurge0n and seas thar quiver
The refrain OF love delays forever
A the Towering moons expire.
VII.
When the leaves OF time are dim and yellow
We prize their fading lore
And the fruits Of life are golden mellow
That shine on the backward shore;
But the world is wide, and the Lord is gracious,
That lit and spread before
There IS no dead past-its dead are risen.
We guard these empty urns,
But the winged spark has left its prison,
And scars, and sings, and burnsi
For the mould OF death but while reposes,
To burst IN thrOng Of bridal roses
As Tie regnant flame returns.
In the closing scene the plot unraveis,
And the lovers, hand in hand.
And the foe, and the friend, aud the fool that
caviis,
Before the footlights stand;
But we know at last, that truth dissembles
But Is ever the purple thread thai trembles
At the touch Of magic wand.
xI.
Again and again the curtain rises
And music wings the hour.
As the Old, old theme. in sweet DISCUSSES,
Is wrought with futile pow'r-
TN JOY aud sorrow, through winding mazes
Return unasked. and their lifted faces
Blossom in sanity dow'r.
XII.
The Hellenic march has never ended,
And on the Attic plain
The violet crown that time has rended
Garlands each classic fame;
And the GOd-like art OF its glowing marbles
Is light that shines and a song that waTblel
On every land and main.
XIII.
And the old year thus, in its dust and ashes,
Retains a soulful thrill;
It's approval smiles and IT'S menace flashes
From many a tempted hill:
II 10 be with tears that are bitter, real,
We must cleanse the brow OF its pure IDEAL
And keep is worship still.
XIV.
Adieui the banded stars are singing
The coronation hymn.
Aud the pearly rose OF dawn IS springing
Eastward, and night is dim:
And the gates are open, % pilgrim brother
The year Is thine, and perhaps no other
Thy wreathen cup shall brim.
XIV
Take down the wreaths that idly wither
In times imperial hall.
For the piumy court is swarming hither,
And life is an in an;
Put on thy robes and tread the measure
And the angels Of all past pain and pleasure,
Attend thy needful call!