Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A NEW YEAR'S WISH A HAPPY, happy year to the friends I left behind me — Who said farewell at some cross-road with many a parting tear: Of what they used to be to me old memories oft remind ' For auld lang syne' I wish to them the happiest New Year! A happy, happy year to the friends that walk beside me— Who make life's path a pleasant place because their steps are near: Their smiles of comfort light the way, their words of counsel guide me; I wish them from mine inmost heart the happiest New Year! A happy, happy year to the friends that yet await me — Whose faces, still unknown to me, the future shall make clear: Some day their hands will clasp my own, some day their love elate me; Meanwhile I warmly wish for them the happiest New Year! A happy, happy year to the friends that ne'er shall meet me, But who will let my written words sometimes their spirits cheer: Perchance in other worlds than this their kindred souls may greet me; And here and now I wish to them the happiest New Year! A SONG OF WAR (1889-1900) ENGLAND lay asleep 'mid the tumult of the nations, While her sons beheld no visions and her daughters dreamed no dreams; For they dwelt at ease in Zion, And they taught the British lion To wax fat in pleasant pastures and lie down by peaceful streams. So with laughter and with song they upraised their invocations To the gods that they had fashioned of the stuff they found to hand; And they said in their prosperity, ' There is nothing, of a verity, That can harm the rank and fashion of this well-appointed land!' But behold ! an angel came, who was clothed in clouds and thunder, While the morning gleamed behind him like a battle-flag unfurled; And he sware by Him That liveth And the life... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.