POEMS.
113
A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO AN EARLY FRIEND.
What changeful years have o'er me passed
Since first thy worth I knew!
Since first my youthful spirit felt
Thy priceless friendship true:
I treasure in my bosom's shrine
The years that linked my fate with thine.
Since first thy worth I knew!
Since first my youthful spirit felt
Thy priceless friendship true:
I treasure in my bosom's shrine
The years that linked my fate with thine.
Time hath rolled on since those young days,
Fraught both with joy and woe;
Smiles for the heart's fresh spring time bright;
Tears for its hopes laid low.
Yet 'mid our fortune, good and ill,
Thy love doth cling around us still.
Fraught both with joy and woe;
Smiles for the heart's fresh spring time bright;
Tears for its hopes laid low.
Yet 'mid our fortune, good and ill,
Thy love doth cling around us still.
To share those joys when pleasure smil'd,
To soothe the soul's distress;
How can my feeble words pourtray
Thy care and tenderness!
Thy heart so warm for kindly deed,
Thy ready hand in time of need.
To soothe the soul's distress;
How can my feeble words pourtray
Thy care and tenderness!
Thy heart so warm for kindly deed,
Thy ready hand in time of need.
