TO A LATE COMER

by: Julia Caroline Ripley Dorr (1825-1913)

HY didst thou come into my life so late?

If it were morning I could welcome thee

With glad all-hails, and bid each hour to be

The willing servitor of thine estate,

Lading thy brave ships with Time's richest freight;

If it were noonday I might hope to see

On some fair height thy banners floating free,

And hear the acclaiming voices call thee great!

But it is nightfall and the stars are out;

Far in the west the crescent moon hangs low,

And near at hand the lurking shadows wait;

Darkness and silence gather round about,

Lethe's black stream is near its overflow,--

Ah, friend, dear friend, why didst thou come so late?

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