 | Household Verses |  |
81
TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTH-DAY
1842.
Lately known, but valued friend!
Many mingled feelings blend,
When, for thee, I fain would try
My old art of poesy.
Many mingled feelings blend,
When, for thee, I fain would try
My old art of poesy.
Could I hail thy natal day
With its most appropriate lay,
Full of sunshine's cloudless glow
Should my votive tribute flow.
With its most appropriate lay,
Full of sunshine's cloudless glow
Should my votive tribute flow.
As my day drew near its night,
Like a vision of delight,
Shedding more than sunshine round,
Has thy presence oft been found.
Like a vision of delight,
Shedding more than sunshine round,
Has thy presence oft been found.
82
If—of later days—a cloud
Hath that brightness seemed to shroud,
Through its soft and silvery haze
More than sunlight sheds its rays!
Hath that brightness seemed to shroud,
Through its soft and silvery haze
More than sunlight sheds its rays!
Health or sickness, time and place,
Alter many a form and face;
But no change can these impart
To a true and gentle heart.
Alter many a form and face;
But no change can these impart
To a true and gentle heart.
This my friendship first inspired,
This preserves it still untired;
Well, or ill, or far, or near,
This must make thee ever dear.
This preserves it still untired;
Well, or ill, or far, or near,
This must make thee ever dear.
For his sake—beloved by thee;
For thy guileless cherubs three;
For thine own—may grace Divine
Ever dwell with thee and thine!
For thy guileless cherubs three;
For thine own—may grace Divine
Ever dwell with thee and thine!
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