The New Year.

Lift up thy torch, O Year, and let us see             What Destiny     Hath made thee heir to at nativity!     Doubt, some call Faith; and ancient Wrong and Might,             Whom some name Right;     And Darkness, that the purblind world calls Light.     Despair, with Hope's brave form; and Hate, who goes             In Friendship's clothes;     And Happiness, the mask of many woes.     Neglect, whom Merit serves; Lust, to whom, see,             Love bends the knee;     And Selfishness, who preacheth charity.     Vice, in whose dungeon Virtue lies in chains;             And Cares and Pains,     That on the throne of Pleasure hold their reigns.     Corruption, known as Honesty; and Fame             That's but a name;     And Innocence, the outward guise of Shame.     And Folly, men call Wisdom here, forsooth;             And, like a youth,     Fair Falsehood, whom some worship for the Truth.     Abundance, who hath Famine's house in lease;             And, high 'mid these,     War, blood-black, on the spotless shrine of Peace.     Lift up thy torch, O Year! assist our sight!             Deep lies the night     Around us, and GOD grants us little light!