Poems (Acton)/A Birthday Tribute to an Early Friend

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.

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.

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.

And now on this thy natal day,
 Would that my wish could bring
Joy to thy heart, and keep thee free
 From grief and suffering;
Would that a spell-like pow'r were mine,
To realize each hope of thine.

No magic charm, alas! I own,
 Thy path to shield from care;
Yet all my warmest hopes could give
 Dwells in my earnest prayer,
That bright each coming day may be
To thee, my youth's lov'd friend—to thee!
H. A.