THE BELLS OF DREAM-LAND.
A NEW YEAR'S CAROL.
THE bells of dream-land ring for joy,
And echo through my brain
In one triumphant choral song,
One sweet, melodious strain:
Hopes of youth are twined with flowers,
Love and tenderness,
Fancy dwelleth in her bowers
Rich with loveliness.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
O magic dream-land, distant, dim,
Yet near at midnight hour!
I love thy visions and thy songs,
I love thy weird, strange power.
Vain, illusive all thy scenes
May to many be,
Yet not fleeting are the truths
That abide with me.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
The sun-bright scenes I view in dreams
Speak of a glorious clime,
Beyond earth's gloomy doubts and fears,
Beyond the hills of time:
Years of fadeless beauty, bloom,
Years of heavenly calm,
Years that soothe the weary heart
Like an evening psalm.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
The year of eighteen eighty-two
Upon the threshold stands,
With garlands twined around his head
And blessings in his hands.
We may grasp the treasures,
We may make our days
Bright with God's own sunlight,
Radiant with its rays.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
And not in dreams alone may we
Be earnest, active, true,
In life's great workshop here below
There's much for all to do.
Carols breathing faith and love,
Hymns of grateful praise
To the Father of all good
Joyfully we'll raise.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
Fill every moment as it flies,
The bells of dream-land ring,
With kindly deeds, and then the year
Will only gladness bring.
Help the needy, raise the fallen,
Scatter far and wide
Seeds of goodness, and their fruitage
Will with you abide.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
Mortals, beware, " live not for self,"
The bells of dream-land chime,
The coming year may be most blest,
Most sacred, holy time.
Live for God, and live for others,
Live for justice, truth,
Live for all that's noble, generous
In the days of youth.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
O pity the mourner, pity the sad,
The bells of dream-land toll,
O pity the bleeding, sorrowing heart,
O pity the wandering soul.
Sympathy will lift the burden
That thy brother bears,
Make his heart "a watered garden,"
Drive away his cares.
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
Resolve to live a noble life,
The bells of dream-land peal,
Then in your heart and soul, the peace
Of God you'll know and feel.
Blessed peace, so sweet and restful,
Roll thy waves afar,
O'er the earth in mighty billows,
Keep the "gates ajar."
Bells of dream-land, ring, Oh ring!
Youth and children gayly sing!
Darkness flee, and clouds away!
Welcome, welcome, New Year's Day!
ELIZA H. MORTON.