 | Sheaf of Acrostics |  |
A Faithful Friend.
Give me a friend whose earnest heart is filledWith honesty and truth; whose steadfast trust
Will never fail, by envious falsehood chilled,
Nor be misled by jealousies unjust.
But few may find a tireless, faithful friend
Tender and patient, open and sincere,
Ready at call to help or to defend,
And sympathize when foes revile and sneer.
Though love may seem more beautiful and dear,
Without sweet friendship it is light and brief;
One is the vernal shining of the year.
When hope and youth read bliss in every leaf.
The other like the later riper day
When grave experience binds her golden sheaf.
O blest is he who hath one constant friend
Whose tried truth changes not, but lives alway
Keeping its loyalty unto the end!
| Sheaf of Acrostics | |