280 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



vacant. The familiar songs we heard brought 

 other faces before us, and we pictured in our 

 mind's eye the festive scene in the home we had 

 left behind, where we knew that when the loving- 

 cup went round and " the health and prosperity of 

 the absent ones" was pledged, that many a heart- 

 felt prayer would be offered up for the welfare of 

 the outward-bound. During the evening, the fol- 

 lowing very appropriate song was sung to a wild 

 " Touaric" air, by my companion, a bright spirit, 

 who since that day has " passed from sight as in 

 the East comes sudden night:" 



A TALK WITH TIME ON NEW YEAE'S EVE. 



" Time, old Time, -with the forelock gray, 

 While the year in its dotage doth pass away, 

 Come, sit by my hearth, ere the embers fail, 

 And hang thy scythe on yon empty nail ; 

 And tell me a tale 'neath this wintry sky 

 Of the deeds thou hast done, as its months swept by." 



" I have cradled the babe in the churchyard wide. 

 From the husband's arms I have taken the bride ; 

 I have cloven a path through the ocean's floor, 

 Where many have sunk to return no more ! 

 I have humbled the strong with their dauntless breast, 

 And laid the old with his staflf to rest. 



