The Home Circle

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 34.

SLIPPING AWAY.

They are slipping away, these sweet, swift years, Like a leaf on the current cast; With never a break in their rapid flow, We watch them as one by one they go Into the beautiful past.

As silent and swift as a weaver's thread, Or an arrow's flying gleam; As soft as the languorous breezes hid, That lift the willow's long golden lid, And ripple the glassy stream.

As light as the breath of the thistle-down, As fond as a lover's dream; As pure as the flush in the sea-shell'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 the centuries long since dead, As beautiful and as fair.

There are only a few years left 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 way of life?

There are only a few swift years—ah, 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!