I spread a scanty board too late; <br />The old-time guests for whom I wait <br />Come few and slow, methinks, to-day. <br />Ah! who could hear my messages <br />Across the dim unsounded seas <br />On which so many have sailed away! <br /> <br />Come, then, old friends, who linger yet, <br />And let us meet, as we have met, <br />Once more beneath this low sunshine; <br />And grateful for the good we 've known, <br />The riddles solved, the ills outgrown, <br />Shake bands upon the border line. <br /> <br />The favor, asked too oft before, <br />From your indulgent ears, once more <br />I crave, and, if belated lays <br />To slower, feebler measures move, <br />The silent, sympathy of love <br />To me is dearer now than praise. <br /> <br />And ye, O younger friends, for whom <br />My hearth and heart keep open room, <br />Come smiling through the shadows long, <br />Be with me while the sun goes down, <br />And with your cheerful voices drown <br />The minor of my even-song. <br /> <br />For, equal through the day and night, <br />The wise Eternal oversight <br />And love and power and righteous will <br />Remain: the law of destiny <br />The best for each and all must be, <br />And life its promise shall fulfil.<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/greeting-5/
