University of Virginia Library

THE CASKET. TO A FRIEND UNDER PAIN FROM A FEW POINTED OBSERVATIONS.

The Casket of Friendship is fair to behold,
With spangles of silver and studdings like gold,
The surface is fillagree'd o'er with such care,
The Graces themselves were the artists you'd swear;
So bright to the eye, and so smooth to the feel,
It glows like a mirror of well polish'd steel;
Yet nothing so brittle in nature or art,
Unless it within holds the gem of the heart;
Unless the fair jewel of truth is there hid,
And the hand of sincerity opens the lid.
Thou and I, my dear Mary, this diamond have seen,
Allow'd it is splendid, confess'd it is keen,
Its wonderful double properties often have found,
Severely to cut, and then shine on the wound;
Yet deep tho' the puncture, and potent the smart,
Too pure is the temper to fester the heart,
The balm of affection soon softens the pain,
And we wish the kind weapon to wound us again;
Yet thou, my lov'd Mary, hast little to fear,
For seldom the brilliant shall cost thee a tear!
'Twill oft on thy virtues transcendently shine,
And reflect from their brightness a ray more divine,
And if at thy foibles it strike now and then,
Where THOU suffer'st for one,—I shall suffer for ten!