CALIFORNIA AZALEA. 



RETROSPECTION. 



'T'HE Christmas Bells from hill and tower 

 A To-night their benedictions shower; 

 And on the waves of their sweet chimes, 

 Fond thoughts of home and olden times 

 Set sail through memory's Golden Gate : 

 Deep laden with love's precious freight, 

 They speed their homeward course to-night 

 Across the sea with Ariel flight. 



O you, who wait returning sails, 

 Whose eyes hope long-deferred o'erveils 

 With lowering clouds, take heart again! 

 For lo ! unseen through mist and rain 

 Of tears, a thousand white-winged keels, 

 Afloat on billowy Christmas peals, 

 Seek haven in your hearts to-night, 

 Home guided by love's beacon light. 



Dear friends, though sundered far and wide; 



Though varied quests our thoughts divide, 



May these rich argosies of love 



My tender, faithful memory prove; 



May they to-night new love awake, 



And in this festive season make 



Your hearts forget the old farewells, 



In greetings brought by Christmas Bells. 



