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To Mrs. Jane Lathrop Stanford
on her seventieth birthday.

August 25, 1898.

To you, beneath life's reddening sunset ray,
Seeing what visions with reverted eyes! -
Hope, joy and anguish, boundless sacrifice,
And faith triumphant on the Dolorous Way;
To you, in sign of all words cannot say,
Thankful at least to know your sorrow lies
Safe locked now with the dead year's sanctities,
This friendly token let us bring today.

For us, still sorrow that your years creep on;
For you, but gladness. The world's claim is quit -
Fulfilled, and nobly. Happy, who can sit
At eventide and look back to the dawn
Saying, Not empty has the day withdrawn.
Wait for the sunset; peace comes after it.

Alphonso G. Newcomer.

Accompanying a framed copy of Abbott Thayer's "Caritas".