Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE ARCHDEACON, by GEORGE FAREWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE ARCHDEACON, by                    
First Line: Under the sun is nothing new?
Last Line: And now farewell, my heavenly friend.
Subject(s): Farewell; Friendship; Parting


UNDER the sun is nothing new?
Nothing, if Solomon says true.
Archdeacon, you'll excuse me then
If I today should not be seen
Amidst the goodly row of friends
Which on your reverence attends
To hail you happy this new year,
Wishing it full of health and cheer:
But lo! sir, compliments apart,
My muse shall greet you from her heart.
Through many good old years O! may
Your present temper not decay!
That temper, which denoteth plain
A mind and body free from pain.
And can my wishes not succeed?
They must, if sages have decreed
Aright in their philosophy,
Who thus of nature all agree—
That as by envy's evil eye
The hated wretch may blasted die,
So he, whose riches are bestowed
In constant offices of good;
In giving to the fatherless
And widow food and cheerfulness,
By blessed sympathy shall share
The strength renewed of them and her.
A wish of wealth for such a man
Would be superfluous and vain;
For fair abundance surely will
By just account his coffers fill,
Who lends so much unto the lord,
To be with int'rest high restored.
When you must pay the only debt
Was e'er demanded of you yet,
May a good, gentle hundredth year
Commit you softly to the bier;
Whilst your white locks will seem to be
But blossoms of the mystic tree
Of life eternal, which shall spread
Up to the sky its glorious head:
Where none but youthful years attend;
And now farewell, my heavenly friend.





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