Part 3
Although beset by worldly care, Fix all your hopes on Heaven, And view by faith the glories fair, Which, in that world beyond the air, To faithful ones are given.
* * * * *
ALTHOUGH I am advised not to write fast, I hope the thought I would express may last.
* * * * *
YOU ask for your Album a rhyme; With pleasure I hear and obey; Refusal were folly or crime— For who could to ---- say “nay?”
* * * * *
MAY Heaven on you its choicest blessings shower— Is the sincere wish of your friend.
* * * * *
BE kind to all; be intimate with few; And may the few be well chosen.
* * * * *
EVILS in the journey of life are like the hills which alarm travelers upon their road; they both appear great in the distance, but when we approach them, we find them far less insurmountable than we had conceived.
* * * * *
MISS ----! O Miss ----! What can I write that’s new Among so very many Pretty compliments to you? In poetry, I fear I’d fail— I’m very sure I’d stammer— You cannot drive the ponderous nail With a small ten-cent tack hammer. Since, then, so high I cannot soar, Nor chirp notes like the lark, Please cancel what I’ve said before, I’ll simply make my mark.
* * * * *
IT has been beautifully said: The water that flows from a spring does not congeal in winter; and those sentiments which flow from the heart cannot be chilled by adversity.
* * * * *
ROSES, without thorns, for thee.
* * * * *
I’LL just write a few words here; so that when You turn these and life’s pages o’er again, Your memory back to the time will go, When you and I were “O” and “Jo.”[1]
How we worked together in ’79, Wafting lightning over the W. U. Line To W. M.—called “our quod,” you know— When you and I were “O” and “Jo.”
How Lu talked by the hour to us, (And we stood it like martyr’s making no fuss), How we used to get “snatched”—we hated that so— When you and I signed “O” and “Jo.”
I’LL not wish you all sunshine; for life is made Up of installments of sunlight and shade. May you never be worse off through life, as you go, Than when on W. M. wire we signed “O” and “Jo.”
Footnote 1:
Initials used by telegraph operators.
* * * * *
MAY the hinges of our Friendship never rust.
* * * * *
MAY your days in joy be passed With friends to bless and cheer, And each year exceed the last In all that earth holds dear.
* * * * *
THERE’S many a trouble Would break like a bubble, And into the waters of Lethe depart, Did not we rehearse it And tenderly nurse it, And give it a permanent place in the heart. Resolve to be merry, All worry to ferry, Across the famed waters that bid us forget. And no longer fearful, But happy and cheerful, We feel life has much that’s worth living for yet.
* * * * *
MAY we always remain as good friends as we are neighbors.
* * * * *
THE night has a thousand eyes;— The day but one; Yet the light of the whole world dies With the setting sun.
The mind has a thousand eyes— The day but one; Yet the light of the whole world dies When love is done.
* * * * *
ON this spotless page my pen essays to trace a record of affection; and, as I write, a wish is in my heart that, for thee, every life-leaf will be written with the golden pen of love.
* * * * *
THOUGH many friends have signed their names, And some have left their mark, I see a place for me remains To add my small remark. My wish for thee is: joy through life; And bliss supreme, when some one’s wife.
* * * * *
I PRAY the prayer of Plato old: God make thee beautiful within; And let thine eye the good behold In everything, save sin.
* * * * *
A FEW true friends to aid us and love us, And cordial hands to warmly clasp our own; O! surely God hath never made us To live distrustingly, selfish, and alone.
* * * * *
A VERSE you ask this fine day: Of course I’ll write you one. The task of writing finds its pay In joy that it is done.
* * * * *
WHY ask a name; Small is the good it brings; Names are but breath— Deeds—deeds alone—are things.
* * * * *
WHEN years and months have glided by, And on this page you cast your eye, Remember ’twas a friend sincere That left this kind remembrance here. With best wishes for your future cheer.
* * * * *
DEAR ----, may your life be blest With friendship, love and happiness; May all your friends prove true, And cheer you all the journey through.
* * * * *
MAY Future, with her kindest smile, Wreath laurels for thy brow; May loving angels guard and keep thee Ever pure as thou art now.
* * * * *
IF writing in Albums remembrance insures, With the greatest of pleasure I’ll scribble in yours.
* * * * *
IN after years when you recall The days of pleasures past, And think of joyous hours and all Have flown away so fast, When some forgotten air you hear Brings back past scenes to thee, And gently claims your listening ear Keep one kind thought for me.
* * * * *
THE truest happiness is found in making others happy.
* * * * *
ACCEPT my friend these lines from me, They show that I remember thee, And hope some thought they will retain Till you and I shall meet again.
* * * * *
FOR thee, my fair and gentle friend, I ask not wealth or fame, I only ask thy path may be Free from life’s toil and care.
* * * * *
AMONG the many friends that claim A kind remembrance in thy breast, I too would add my simple name. Among the rest.
* * * * *
NEVER grow weary doing good.
* * * * *
I WANT a warm and faithful friend, To cheer the adverse hour; Who ne’er to flatter will descend, Nor bend the knee to power; A friend to chide me when I’m wrong; My inmost soul to see; And that my friendship prove as strong For him as his for me.
>*ESTEEM and CONFIDENCE.*<
SOME little token of regard, You wish from me to claim; But as time is pressing hard, I will but write my name.
* * * * *
EVERY joy that heaven can send; Wealth, and every kind of treasure;— Health and love to thee, my friend, And happiness without measure.
* * * * *
IN future years, should trusted friends Depart like summer birds; And all the comfort memory lends, Is false and honeyed words, Turn then to me who fain would prove, However thy lot be cast, That naught his heart can ever move From friendship of the past.
* * * * *
MAY your path be strewn with roses, Fair and flowery to the end; And when your body in death reposes, May your Maker be your friend.
* * * * *
WELL, ----, I surely would like to please; But can’t think what to say. All your friends have wishes bright, To cheer your life so gay.
I will add: May all their words Be symbols of love and truth; That when you grow weary, and seek for rest, You will rejoice in the friends of your youth.
* * * * *
TO write in your Album, dear friend you ask; Ah, well! it is not such a difficult task. All I can say is contained here in one line: May the blessings of Heaven forever be thine.
* * * * *
LET not our friendship be like the rose, to sever; But, like the evergreen, may it last forever.
* * * * *
HE who does good to another, does also good to himself—not only in the act, but in the consciousness of well-doing is his reward.
* * * * *
IN the evening of life, cherish the remembrance of one who loved thee in its morning.
* * * * *
SPEAK of me kindly when life’s dreams are o’er; Speak of me gently when I am no more.
* * * * *
SAFELY down Life’s ebbing tide, May our vessels smoothly glide, And anchor side by side—in heaven.
* * * * *
THAT Hope and you, Bright days will view.
* * * * *
GUARD well thy thoughts; our thoughts are heard in heaven.
* * * * *
MAY He who hath pencilled the leaves with beauty, given the flowers their bloom, and lent music to the lay of the timid bird, graciously remember thee in that day when He shall gather His jewels.
* * * * *
FROM memory’s leaves, I fondly squeeze Three little words— Forget Me Not.
* * * * *
A LONG life, and a happy one; A tall man, and a jolly one— Like—well—you know who!
* * * * *
THE hills are shadows, and they flow From form to form, and nothing stands; They melt like mist, the solid lands, Like clouds they shape themselves and go.
But in my spirit will I dwell, And dream my dream and hold it true; For though my pen doth write adieu, I cannot say for aye farewell.
* * * * *
GOD’S love and peace be with thee, when Soe’r this soft Autumnal air Lifts the dark tresses of thy hair.
Thou lack’st not friendship’s spellword, nor The half-unconscious power to draw All hearts to thine by Love’s sweet law.
With such a prayer, on this sweet day, As thou mayest hear and I may say, I greet thee, dearest, far away.
* * * * *
THIS Album’s a mansion which offers its best, To the friends who have written their thoughts, And the banquet is spread with festal fare, Where guests mingle enjoyment with rest; And they leave their memorials under thy roof, Sometimes in sorrow, more oft in joy divine, Nor think a single thought quite good enough, To measure its faintest pulse with thine.
>*BIRTHDAY VERSES.*<
I WISH thee every blessing That can attend thee here; And may each future birthday prove My wish to be sincere.
* * * * *
YOUR Birthday will always be green in the memory of your friends.
* * * * *
MAY these flowers, presented on your birthday, be emblematical of the purity of your life.
* * * * *
WAKE early this morning, Nor miss the grey dawning; Take this greeting from me As it goes straight to thee: May joy and gladness e’er be thine; And endless brightness round thee shine.
* * * * *
THIS is thy Birthday, may it be, A source of happiness to thee, And may each Birthday yet in store, Be brighter than the one before.
* * * * *
DEAR friend, on this thy natal day, I send to thee a little lay, And wishes tender And only ask that thou’lt repay My thoughts with thine, and fondly say, “I thank the sender.”
May Spring its blossoms round thee strew, And Summer, deck’d in mantle new, Come forth to greet thee; May Autumn fruitage crown the year, And Winter, with its jovial cheer, Bring friends to meet thee.
And if I still must absent be, Do not forget to send to me One kind word only, By home birds passing by the door, Who, flying towards this distant shore, May greet me lonely.
* * * * *
LIKE sunbeams to the drooping flowers, Good-will our lives doth bless; It furthers every wish of ours, And joys in our success. So may its rays towards you flow, That none but friends your heart may know.
* * * * *
IN these days of mirth and glee, What shall my message be to thee? What can I wish for one so blest? Thou sunny bird in a sunny nest! This I wish, and this I pray: May the joys of life never pass away, But only merge in a sigh of bliss— Into a life far brighter than this!
* * * * *
IF words could all my wishes say, Oh! how my tongue would talk away. I wish this day and many more Might on dear ---- blessings pour. May health, wealth, love, and peace With each succeeding year increase; And oh! the last, come when it may, Be unto thee a happy day.
* * * * *
ON this Birthday morn arise From thy placid slumber! Soon to meet love’s longing eyes And greetings without number. Heaven’s dearest gifts be thine To crown all earthly treasure, For gifts that God gives unto thee Know neither stint or measure.
* * * * *
AS beauteous flowers in garlands intertwine, May Peace and Love to cheer thy heart combine, To give you a very happy Birthday.
* * * * *
LOVE in every bosom live, And the truest pleasure give: And happy smiles each lip adorn, On this happy birthday morn.
* * * * *
LITTLE trouble and still less care, With ever a faithful heart to share; Birthdays many, and happy too, This is the life I wish for you.
* * * * *
DEAR, happy birthdays, how fair ye seem, Along the path of time: Foot-prints whereon sweet-heart flowers blow, By worldly storms unriven, That we may mark them as they go, And find our way to heaven. BRIGHT as a flower may thy Birthday be.
* * * * *
TRUE love shall live thro’ sorrow’s wintry storm, And bloom afresh on this glad Birthday morn.
* * * * *
LOVINGLY take this birthday souvenir, And for my sake esteem it dear!
* * * * *
MAY the morning of thy birth break in gladness, and the day teem with light-hearted mirth that shall last always!
>*HUMOROUS.*<
I DIP my pen into the ink, And grasp your album tight; But for my life I cannot think One single word to write.
* * * * *
IN the storms of life, When you need an umbrella, May you have to uphold it A handsome young fellow.
* * * * *
MAY beauty and truth, Keep you in youth; Green tea and sage, Preserve your old age.
* * * * *
SOME people can be very funny; I never could be so. So I’ll just inscribe my name; It’s the funniest thing I know.
* * * * *
FEE SIMPLE and simple fee, And all the fees entail Are nothing when compared to thee— Thou best of fees—fe-male.
* * * * *
WHAT! write in your album, for critics to spy, For the learned to laugh at?—No, not I!
* * * * *
ACCEPT my valued friendship, And roll it up in cotton, And think it not illusion, Because so easily gotten.
* * * * *
WITHSOEVER is this for why? Wherefore. Ain’t it?
* * * * *
WHEN I, poor elf, shall have vanished in vapor, May still my memory live—on paper.
* * * * *
ROUND went the book, and here it came, In it for me to write my name; I would write better, if I could, But nature said I never should.
* * * * *
IF you wish to laugh; Glance at my autograph.
* * * * *
WHEN on this page you chance to look, Think of me and close the book.
* * * * *
SAILING down the stream of life, In your little bark canoe, May you have a pleasant trip, With just room enough for two.
* * * * *
DEAR FRIEND:—
DO not doubt me; You know more about me Than many whose names Here appear. But to tell them I’ll never— What! never? Hardly ever— What I’d like to write to you Here.
’TIS nonsense I’ve written; You’ll think I am smitten With charms that I hold Very dear. Please excuse me from writing, More lines so inviting, Your time to be spent Idly here.
* * * * *
I CARE not much for gold or land, Give me a mortgage here and there, Some good bank stock—some note of hand, Or trifling railroad share. I only ask that Fortune send A little more than I can spend.
* * * * *
MAN’S love is like Scotch snuff— You take a pinch and that’s enough. Profit by this sage advice, When you fall in love, think twice.
* * * * *
LONG may you live, Happy may you be, When you get married Come and see me.
* * * * *
MAY you be happy, Each day of your life, Get a good husband And make a good wife.
* * * * *
AS sure as comes your wedding day, A broom to you I’ll send; In _sunshine_, use the brushy part, In _storm_, the other end.
* * * * *
I WRITE in your Album? How very absurd! My mind is at random—
* * * * *
MAY your cheeks retain their dimples, May your heart be just as gay, Until some manly voice shall whisper, “Dearest, will you name the day?”
>*CHRISTMAS and NEW-YEAR*<
VERSES.
JOY and plenty in the cottage, Peace and feasting in the hall; And the voices of the children Ring out clear above it all: A merry Christmas!
* * * * *
AS Christmas offerings meet your eyes, Still closer be sweet friendship’s ties.
* * * * *
RING out, ye bells, o’er all the earth, To tell with brazen voice, The tidings of the Saviour’s birth And bid mankind rejoice.
* * * * *
TRUE love shall live thro’ sorrow’s wintry storm, And bloom afresh on this glad Christmas morn.
* * * * *
OH joyous be your Christmas-tide, And bright your New Year, too; To you may love ne’er be denied; May all your friends be true.
* * * * *