3-034-884 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A New Year's Wreath, 1871. Illustration to "Bringing in the New Year", a poem by John Latey. 'Methought a herald, standing by my side, In fullest panoply accoutred, cried - When he three trumpet-blasts had rung out clear - "The Year is dying - hail the Coming Year!"...Thus we, in part, the Golden Age may see - Not past, but in the future that's to be; For he who works aright can never fail, To catch some glimpses of the Holy Grail. Thus far my herald-guide - then, waking me With voice of thunder cried - So mote it be!' ("So mote it be" is a ritual phrase used by the Freemasons, in Rosicrucianism, and by Neopagans, meaning 'so may it be', or 'so must it be'). From "Illustrated London News", 1871.