" You should have sought a human friend, 

 Whose life eternal ne'er could end, — 

 Whose gifts of intellect and grace 

 Bereavement never could efface." 



Plenty of snarli>ig things are left ; 

 But I am of a friend bereft ; 

 I seek not intellect, but heart,— 

 'Tis not my head that feels the smart. 



While loving sympathy is cherish'd ; 

 While gratitude is not quite perish'd ; 

 While patient, hopeful, cheerful meeting 

 At our return is pleasant greeting ; 



So long my heart will feel a void, — 

 Grieving, my mind will be employ'd, — 

 When I, returning to my door, 

 Shall miss what I shall find no more. 



When we, at last, shall pass away, 

 And see no more the light of day, 

 Will many hearts as vacant mourn, — 

 As truly wish for our return ? 



Yet love that's true will ever know 

 The pain of parting. Better so ! 

 " Better to love and lose " than cold, 

 And colder still, let hearts grow old. 



224 



