  BIRTHDAY VERSES. I wish thee every blessing That can attend thee here; And may each future birthday prove My wish to be sincere. Your Birthday will always be green in the memory of your friends. May these flowers, presented on your birthday, be emblematical of the purity of your life. Wake early this morning, Nor miss the grey dawning; Take this greeting from me As it goes straight to thee: May joy and gladness e’er be thine; And endless brightness round thee shine. A source of happiness to thee, And may each Birthday yet in store, Be brighter than the one before. Dear friend, on this thy natal day, I send to thee a little lay, And wishes tender And only ask that thou’lt repay My thoughts with thine, and fondly say, “I thank the sender.” May Spring its blossoms round thee strew, And Summer, deck’d in mantle new, Come forth to greet thee; May Autumn fruitage crown the year, And Winter, with its jovial cheer, Bring friends to meet thee. And if I still must absent be, Do not forget to send to me One kind word only, By home birds passing by the door, Who, flying towards this distant shore, May greet me lonely. Like sunbeams to the drooping flowers, Good-will our lives doth bless; It furthers every wish of ours, And joys in our success. So may its rays towards you flow, That none but friends your heart may know. What shall my message be to thee? What can I wish for one so blest? Thou sunny bird in a sunny nest! This I wish, and this I pray: May the joys of life never pass away, But only merge in a sigh of bliss— Into a life far brighter than this! If words could all my wishes say, Oh! how my tongue would talk away. I wish this day and many more Might on dear ---- blessings pour. May health, wealth, love, and peace With each succeeding year increase; And oh! the last, come when it may, Be unto thee a happy day. On this Birthday morn arise From thy placid slumber! Soon to meet love’s longing eyes And greetings without number. Heaven’s dearest gifts be thine To crown all earthly treasure, For gifts that God gives unto thee Know neither stint or measure. As beauteous flowers in garlands intertwine, May Peace and Love to cheer thy heart combine, To give you a very happy Birthday. And the truest pleasure give: And happy smiles each lip adorn, On this happy birthday morn. Little trouble and still less care, With ever a faithful heart to share; Birthdays many, and happy too, This is the life I wish for you. Dear, happy birthdays, how fair ye seem, Along the path of time: Foot-prints whereon sweet-heart flowers blow, By worldly storms unriven, That we may mark them as they go, And find our way to heaven. Bright as a flower may thy Birthday be. True love shall live thro’ sorrow’s wintry storm, And bloom afresh on this glad Birthday morn. Lovingly take this birthday souvenir, And for my sake esteem it dear! May the morning of thy birth break in gladness, and the day teem with light-hearted mirth that shall last always! |
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