THE FAMILY TIME-PIECE.
Friend of my heart, thou monitor of youth,
Well do I love thee, dearest child of truth,
Though many a lonely hour thy whisperings low
Have made sad chorus to the notes of woe.
Well do I love thee, dearest child of truth,
Though many a lonely hour thy whisperings low
Have made sad chorus to the notes of woe.
Or 'mid the happy hour which joyful flew,
Thou still wert faithful, still unchanged, still true;
Or when the task employed my infant mind,
Oft have I sighed to see thee lag behind;
Thou still wert faithful, still unchanged, still true;
Or when the task employed my infant mind,
Oft have I sighed to see thee lag behind;
And watched thy finger, with a youthful glee,
When it had pointed, silently, "Be free:"
Thou wert my mentor through each passing year;
"Mid pain or pleasure, thou wert ever near.
When it had pointed, silently, "Be free:"
Thou wert my mentor through each passing year;
"Mid pain or pleasure, thou wert ever near.
And when the wings of time unnoticed flew,
I paused, reflected, wondered, turned to you;
Paused in my heedless round, to mark thy hand,
Pointing to conscience, like a magic wand;
I paused, reflected, wondered, turned to you;
Paused in my heedless round, to mark thy hand,
Pointing to conscience, like a magic wand;
To watch thee stealing on thy silent way,
Silent, but sure, time's pinions cannot stay;
How many hours of pleasure, hours of pain,
When smiles were bright'ning round affliction's train?
Silent, but sure, time's pinions cannot stay;
How many hours of pleasure, hours of pain,
When smiles were bright'ning round affliction's train?
How many hours of poverty and woe,
Which taught cold drops of agony to flow?
Which taught cold drops of agony to flow?
