Vol. XV 



DECEMBER, 1905. 



No. 12 



Ubc ipassino lJ)ears. 



'/T HEY'RE passing away, these swift, sweet years 

 ^^ Like a leaf on the current cast; 

 With never a break in the rapid flow. 

 We watch them as one by one they go 

 Into the beautiful past. 



As light as the beautiful thistledown, 



As fond as a lover's dream. 

 As pure as the flush in the seashell's throat, 

 As sweet as the wood-bird's wooing note, 



So tender and sweet they seem. 



One after another we see them pass 



Down the dim lighted stair; 

 We hear the sound of their steady tread 

 In the steps of centuries long since dead, 



As beautiful and as fair. 



There are only a few years yet to love, 



Shall we waste them in idle strife? 

 Shall we trample under our ruthless feet 

 These beautiful blossoms, rare and sweet. 



By the dusty ways of life? 



There are only a few swift years. Oh, let 



No envious taunts be heard. 

 Make life's fair pattern of rare design. 

 And fill up the measure with love's sweet wine. 



But never an angry word. 



— Anon. 



