To Cara, on the Dawning of a New Year’s Day
When midnight came to close the year,
We sighed to think it thus should take
The hours it gave us—hours as dear
As sympathy and love could make
Their blessed moments,—every sun
Saw us, my love, more closely one.
But, Cara, when the dawn was nigh
Which came a new year’s light to shed,
That smile we caught from eye to eye
Told us, those moments were not fled:
Oh, no,—we felt, some future sun
Should see us still more closely one.
Thus may we ever, side by side,
From happy years to happier glide;
And still thus may the passing sigh
We give to hours, that vanish o’er us,
Be followed by the smiling eye,
That Hope shall shed on scenes before us!