 | The various writings of Cornelius Mathews |  |
X.
THE FRIEND.
In fortune, quality and temper mated—
Let spirit, spirit choose—each suited best
To th' other's moving mind or mind at rest;
In kinship nearer than red blood related.
Let spirit, spirit choose—each suited best
To th' other's moving mind or mind at rest;
In kinship nearer than red blood related.
No castled shadow falls upon the heart,
Darkening two faces each turned unto the other,
No lowly roof shuts in or out the heart's true brother:
Life deals to each, with equal chance, an equal part.
Darkening two faces each turned unto the other,
No lowly roof shuts in or out the heart's true brother:
Life deals to each, with equal chance, an equal part.
With mutual talk—of kingdoms past and gone,
Of Rome republic-strong, and emperored Rome,
Of Venice in her heart-struck days of doom—
Old Israel pure, and scarlet Babylon;
Of Rome republic-strong, and emperored Rome,
Of Venice in her heart-struck days of doom—
Old Israel pure, and scarlet Babylon;
Of muniments to guard a free-born State,
And ships built proof against the world's worst shock,
Of battles won, white-handed peace to rock
The coming age,—they share a mutual fate.
And ships built proof against the world's worst shock,
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The coming age,—they share a mutual fate.
Sweet is the counsel of two noble souls!
Where sleeps no lie of thought with art concealed
Beneath the blood, nor in the face revealed:
Friendship goes oftenest down on secret shoals!
Where sleeps no lie of thought with art concealed
Beneath the blood, nor in the face revealed:
Friendship goes oftenest down on secret shoals!
| The various writings of Cornelius Mathews | |