May we never meet worse in our pilgrimage here
Than the tear that Enjoyment can gild with a smile,
And the smile that Compassion can turn to a tear.
The thread of our life would be dark, heaven knows!
If it were not with friendship and love intertwined;
And I care not how soon I may sink to repose,
When these blessings shall cease to be dear to my mind!
But they who have lov’d the fondest, the purest,
Too often have wept o’er the dream they’ve believed;
And the heart that has slumber’d in friendship securest,