Friendship.
How truly poor is he who knows no pow’r1
Of love, to solace him in sorrow’s hour ;2
Who does not feel the kindly soothing hand3
Of some lov’d friend in ev’ry clime and land :4
Whose eye ne’er kindles in its gladsome ray,5
Nor welcomes friendship as the light of day ;6
Whose heart can beat in unison with none,7
But still alone his onward course doth run.8
However rich, poor man, I pity thee9
Who can no blessing in true friendship see :10
With Crœsus’ wealth thou art a pauper still,11
If love does not thine inmost being thrill.12
Can any dross for God’s chief gift atone ?13
Oh ! lift thine eyes one moment to His throne !14
Love is the watchword of the angels there,15
And love should be the Christian’s echo here.16
An anchor firm and stedfast to the end17
Is love, which binds the heart of friend to friend.18