A FRIEND'S
BENEDICTION.
image of flowers,
with words beneath:
A TOKEN OF ESTEEM
MAY THE BLESSING OF THY GOD
WAIT UPON THEE;
MAY THE SUN OF GLORY SHINE
AROUND THY HEAD;
AND MAY THE GATES OF
PLENTY, HONOUR, AND HAPPINESS
BE ALWAYS OPEN
TO THEE AND THINE.
MAY NO SORROW
DISTRESS THY DAYS,
NO STRIFE DISTURB THY NIGHTS,
AND
MAY THE PILLOW OF PEACE
KISS THY CHEEK,
AND
PLEASURE OF IMAGINATION
ATTEND THY DREAMS,
AND WHEN LENGTH OF YEARS MAKE
THEE TIRED OF EARTHLY JOYS,
AND THE CURTAINS OF DEATH
GENTLY CLOSE
AROUND THE LAST SCENE
OF THY EXISTENCE,
MAY
THE ANGELS OF GOD
ATTEND THY BED,
AND
TAKE CARE THAT THE EXPIRING
LAMP OF LIFE
SHALL NOT RECEIVE ONE RUDE BLAST
TO HASTEN ITS EXTINCTION;
AND, FINALLY -
MAY
THE SAVIOUR'S BLOOD
WASH THEE FROM ALL IMPURITY,
AND, AT LAST,
USHER THEE INTO A LAND
OF EVERLASTING
PEACE,
WHERE SORROW AND SIGHING
ARE UNKNOWN.