Page:The New Penelope.djvu/349

Rh Smothered behind some comet's flame,

Lost in the wind of the war-like Mars,

—Mingling, ever and anon,

With the music's swell a sigh or moan.

"As in a glass,

Let the earth once before me pass,"

The Old Year said; and space untold

Vanished, till nothing came between;

Folded away, crystal and gold,

Nor azure air did intervene;

"As in a glass" he saw the earth

Decking a bier and waiting a birth.

"You crown me dead," the Old Year said,

"Before my parting hour is sped:

O fickle, false, and reckless world!

Time to Eternity may not haste;

Not till the last Hour's wing is furled

Within the gate my reign is past!

O Earth! O World! fair, false and vain,

I grieve not at my closing reign."

Yet spirit-sore

The dead king noted a palace door;

He saw the gay crowd gather in;

He scanned the face of each passer by;

Snowiest soul, and heart of sin;

Tried and untried humanity:

Age and Youth, Pleasure and Pain,

Braided at chance in a motley skein.

"Ill betide

Ye thankless ones!" the Old Year cried;

"Have I not given you night and day,

Over and over, score upon score,

Wherein to live, and love, and pray,