Birthday Celebration

He liveth long who liveth well, 
And in the tents of peace shall dwell.
If footsteps falter, eyes grow dim 
The peace of God shall be with him.

The peace of God be with thee, friend, 
And gently lead thee to the end.
Crowned with the loves and hopes, the praise 
And honor of thy well-spent days.

Believe it not that age is cold, 
But say the loved are never old!
The lingering twilight of that time 
Is holier than our noon-day prime.

O, mellowed to a calm well-won
Descends thy slowly-westering sun, 
And hovering on the brink of heaven, 
A rosier light to earth is given.

Long be thy twilight, warm with love, 
And filled with radiance from above,
Till in the golden dream of rest 
Thou say'st thy last days are thy best.