Poem 4 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
Ode to the Old Year, 1787 by Anne Hunter reflects on the passing year, blending gratitude for the peace and ease it brought with a deeper contemplation of time’s inexorable march. Hunter’s lyrical voice offers a thoughtful meditation on the close of one year and the hope that follows into the next.
Anne Hunter (1742–1821) was a Scottish poet and songwriter, known for her graceful style and for writing the lyrics to many popular songs of her time. Her poems often centre on themes of nature, time, and personal reflection.
Ode to the Old Year, 1787 by Anne Hunter
LET courtly bards, in courtly lay,
Invoke the muse on New Year's day,
Prophetic, future times unfold,
Or tell again the tales of old;
For me, I sing, in strains sincere,
A grateful tribute due to the departed year.
Glad I behold our native isle
In wealth, in peace, in honours smile;
The balance hold with steady hand,
And discord cease at her command:
The dogs of war compell'd to wait,
And Janus close again his half unfolded gate.
I love the months whose calm career
Have left me what my heart holds dear;
They gave me health, and peace, and ease;
Who would not sing for gifts like these?
With me, the sense must still remain,
And mark this polish'd link of time's eternal chain.
Time, the consoler, slowly brings
Peace on his variegated wings;
He steals away the rose, 'tis true,
But then the thorn is blunted too;
Before him hope's illusions fly,
And all imagination's vain chimeras die.
The bitter griefs, the fleeting joys,
Which fancy's busy power employs,
To retrospective reason seem
The phantoms of a troubled dream:
The feverish vision fades away,
And leaves the soul in peace its tenement of clay.
I view the social circle round,
And ev'ry well known face is found.
My heart expands within my breast,
Each selfish, gloomy care at rest,
Joyful I sing, in strains sincere,
Praise to the Power Supreme, who guides the circling year.
My Reflections on the Poem:
Recording Ode to the Old Year, 1787 was a peaceful reflection on time’s passage. Anne Hunter’s delicate lyricism and ability to blend personal feelings with universal themes make this poem a perfect meditation on the turning of the year.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
