Hallie

Wee and winsome Hallie, life’s a winding valley,

      And the shadows rally at its every turn,

And the way gets dreary; sometimes, dear, we weary,

      And our eyes are teary, and our eyelids burn;

But the shadows lighten, and the straight ways brighten,

      And the tall peaks whiten and reflect the day,

And the birds are singing where green boughs are swing-

            ing,

      And dew-drops are clinging all along that way.

So, if shadows rally in the winding valley,

      It is yours to sally through them to the light;

Ne’er to Fate replying, never stopping, sighing,

      With no time for crying, never ceasing flight;

Hope’s a goblet brimming; troubles, merely skimming

      O’er its draught, undimming, add a zest to life;

We were driven cattle if life knew no battle,

      Only play and prattle, never strain and strife.

But, dear, may your going be where zephyrs blowing

      Bring the far-off lowing of the herded cows;

Bring the sweet perfuming from white jasmine bloom-

            ing,

      And the bumble’s booming till you’re half a-drowse;

May the goblet’s quaffing fill your soul with laughing;

      Laughing, quaffing, chaffing, may you drain the

            bowl;

May your brown eyes brighten, ne’er see aught to

            frighten;

      May life’s ways all lighten for you, bless your soul!

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