192 ^ ^laoful, Iobc4it SljiltJijootJ. 



If so, perhaps needless that I should now pray 



That your life be free from ill, 

 If our fates be as the potter's clay, 



To be bent and turn'd at will. 



Yet, my wish is this — whether idle or no, 



To you may the budding year. 

 As it scatters others' grief and woe, 



Bring only its blessings near. 



May each day and week, as they draw to a close. 

 Bring you naught o'er which to sigh ; 



Through joy, contentment, peace and repose. 

 May your future pathway lie. 



.>t. 



4^ 



PLAYFUL, love-lit childhood— still with 

 sorrows of its own ; 

 A reckless, thoughtless youthtide — wild 

 oats sown ; 

 A conscience-stricken manhood — pleasures fleeting 



as years fall ; 

 A harden'd worldly life, and that is all. 



A crush'd and bitter childhood — quite *' the good 



boy " of the school ; 

 A priggish, sunless youthtide — on a stool ; 



