THE PASSING OF THE YEAR By : Robert W . Service 1874-1957
My glass is filled , my pipe is lit , My den is all a cosy glow ;
And snug before the fire I sit , And wait to feel the old year go .
I dedicate to solemn thought Amid my too-unthinking days ,
This sober moment , sadly fraught With much of blame , with little praise .
Old Year ! upon the Stage of Time You stand to bow your last adieu ;
A moment , and the prompter ' s chime Will ring the curtain down on you .
Your mien is sad , your step is slow ; You falter as a Sage in pain ; Yet turn , Old Year , before you go ,
And face your audience again .
That sphinx-like face , remote , austere , Let us all read , whate ' er the cost :
O Maiden ! why that bitter tear ? Is it for dear one you have lost ?
Is it for fond illusion gone ? For trusted lover proved untrue ?
O sweet girl-face , so sad , so wan What hath the Old Year meant to you ?
And you , O neighbour on my right So sleek , so prosperously clad !
What see you in that aged wight That makes your smile so gay and glad ?
What opportunity unmissed ? What golden gain , what pride of place ?
What splendid hope ? O Optimist ! What read you in that withered face ?
And You , deep shrinking in the gloom , What find you in that filmy gaze ?
What menace of a tragic doom ? What dark , condemning yesterdays ?
What urge to crime , what evil done ? What cold , confronting shape of fear ?
O haggard , haunted , hidden One What see you in the dying year ?
And so from face to face I flit , The countless eyes that stare and stare ;
Some are with approbation lit , And some are shadowed with despair .
Some show a smile and some a frown ; Some joy and hope , some pain and woe :
Enough ! Oh , ring the curtain down ! Old weary year ! it ' s time to go .
My pipe is out , my glass is dry ; My fire is almost ashes too ;
But once again , before you go , And I prepare to meet the New :
Old Year ! a parting word that ' s true , For we ' ve been comrades , you and I --
I thank God for each day of you ; There ! bless you now ! Old Year , good-bye !
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 53