I T is with the greatest diffidence that the writer ventures to lay before his friends thoughts suggested by the perusal day after day of the mottoes in a Shakespeare Almanack. That he is old, ill, and idle, are the only excuses he can offer for his temerity, and he hopes they may disarm criticism. G. C. B. NEW MASKS TO OLD FACES January 1. 66 Away, my friends! new flight; And happy newness that intends old right." King John, V. 4. S close on the old the New Year's footsteps AS tread, So to the new life are our footsteps led; When the tired eyes upon the world soft close There comes a change whose secret no one knows. Something that once was there has passed away, But what that something was no tongue can say; Into what other realm it wings its flight Is from us hidden as in darkest night. And yet 'twas ours-ourselves in fact and deed, But it, the Soul or Spirit, has gone-Where? "True hope is swift and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods and meaner creatures kings." Richard III. V. 2. H OPE rises swift and just as swiftly dies, Ends in despair or lifts us to the skies. When hope craves entrance, ask first whence it springs, If born of earth or borne on angels' wings. January 3. "Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you." YOUTH Merchant of Venice, III. 4. YOUTH'S happy hour and fair young thoughts to deck it, Thoughts of the one that's fairest in our eyes— E'en in old age we do not quite forget it, In spite of all that passes while time flies. |