 | [Poems by Cary in] The Poetical Works Of Alice and Phoebe Cary |  |
TRIED AND TRUE.
Our life is like a march, where some
Fall early from the ranks, and die;
And some, when times of conflict come,
Go over to the enemy.
Fall early from the ranks, and die;
And some, when times of conflict come,
Go over to the enemy.
And he who halts upon the way—
Wearied in spirit and in frame—
To call his roll of friends, will find
How few make answer to their name!
Wearied in spirit and in frame—
To call his roll of friends, will find
How few make answer to their name!
And those who share our youth and joy,
Not always keep our love and trust,
When days of awful anguish bow
Our heads with sorrow to the dust.
Not always keep our love and trust,
When days of awful anguish bow
Our heads with sorrow to the dust.
My friend! in such a fearful hour,
When heart and spirit sank dismayed,
From thee the words of comfort came—
From thee, the true and tender aid.
When heart and spirit sank dismayed,
From thee the words of comfort came—
From thee, the true and tender aid.
Therefore, though many another friend
With youth and youthful pleasure goes,
Thou art of such as I would have
Walk with me till life's solemn close.
With youth and youthful pleasure goes,
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Walk with me till life's solemn close.
Yea, with me when earth's trials are done,—
If I be found, when these shall cease,
Worthy to stand with those who wear
White raiment on the hills of peace.
If I be found, when these shall cease,
Worthy to stand with those who wear
White raiment on the hills of peace.
| [Poems by Cary in] The Poetical Works Of Alice and Phoebe Cary | |