100 HENRY KIRKE WHITE S POEMS, 



Who were my friends in youth ? — The midnight fire — 



The silent moonbeam, or the starry choir ; 



To these I 'plained, or turned from outer sight, 



To bless my lonely taper's friendly light ; 



I never yet could ast, howe'er forlorn. 



For vulgar pity mix'd with vulgar scorn ; 



The sacred source of woe I never ope. 



My breast's my coffer, and my God's my hope. 



But that I do feel, time, my friend, will show, 



Though the cold crowd the secret never know^ 



With them I laugh — yet when no eye can see, 



I weep for nature, and I weep for thee. 



Yes, thou didst wrong me, ; I fondly thought, 



In thee I'd found the friend my heart had sought ; 

 I fondly thought that thou couldst pierce the guise, 

 And read the truth that in my bosom lies ; 

 [ fondly thought ere Time's last days were gone, 

 Thy heart and mine had mingled into one ! 

 Yes — and they yet will mingle. Days and years 

 Will fly, and leave us partners in our tears : 

 We then shall feel that friendship has a power, 

 To soothe affliction in her darkest hour ; 

 Time's trial o'er, shall clasp each other's hand, 

 And wait the passport to a better land. 



Thine, 



Half-past 11 o'clock at night. 



H. K. White. 



VERSES. 



Composed extempore in the presence ofB. MaddocTc, as an 

 evidence of the Author's ability to write Poetry. 



Thou base repiner at another's joy, 



Whose eye turns green at merit not thine own ; 

 Oh far away from generous Britons fly, 



And find in meaner climes a fitter throne ! 



