Old year, farewell ! br br Much have you given which was ill to bear : br Much have taken which was dear, so dear : br Much have you spoken which was ill to hear ; br Echoes of speech first uttered deep in hell. br br Pass now like some grey harlot to the tomb ! br Yet die in child-birth, and from out your womb br Leap the young year unsullied ! He perchance br Shall bring to man his lost inheritance.