New Year's Day

A new-year"s day ! Time was that I was glad
When the new year was usher'd into life
With midnight fiddle, morning drum and fife.
I wonder'd then how any could be sad
Because another year had gone to add
One figure to the date of human strife.
And yet I knew that sin and pain were rife,
That age would fain be cold, that youth was mad :
All this I knew, yet, knowing, ne'er believed ;
And now I know it, and believe it too :
But yet I am not of all grace bereaved ;
I wish the hope that hath myself deceived
May, like the happy year, itself renew.
And be at least to one dear maiden true,