Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—

Stay till the good old year,

So long companion of our way,

Shakes hands and leaves us here.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong,

Has now no hopes to wake;

Yet one hour more of jest and song

For his familiar sake.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One mirthful hour, and then away.

The kindly year, his liberal hands

Have lavished all his store.

And shall we turn from where he stands,

Because he gives no more?

Oh stay, oh stay,

One grateful hour, and then away.

Days brightly came and calmly went,

While yet he was our guest;

How cheerfully the week was spent!

How sweet the seventh day’s rest!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One golden hour, and then away.

Even while we sing he smiles his last,

And leaves our sphere behind.

The good old year is with the past;

Oh be the new as kind!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One parting strain, and then away.

—William Cullen Bryant.

The autumn wanes, and kinglets go,

Sweet-voiced and knightly in their way,

And all the birds our summers know,

They flock and leave us day by day.

—Frank H. Sweet, “Flocking of the Birds.”