190 
The Summer flowers are withered ail, 
The leaves in quick succession fall, 
Winter enshrouds with funeral pall 
Alike the heath and ivied wall, 
The copse and mountain grey ; 
Yet even while ail else is drear 
Mosses in verdant vest appear 
And, last-born children of the year, 
’Mid storms and gloom their blossoms rear, 
Gladdening the weary way. 
Though banished from the cultured bed, 
The stérile ground the Mosses spread. 
And lo 1 a verdant lawn y ou tread. 
The marsh appears transformed to mead. 
And smiles with aspect gay. 
Thus, — not e’en adverse hour can bend, 
N or ail the snares which pomp attend, 
N or change, nor chance, nor aught can rend 
The chains which bind a faithful friend, 
Or quench affection’s ray! 
Such friendship is a boon from Heaven, 
But ah! its links by death are rivem— 
But, if a Christian friend be given, 
While we on life’s rough sea are driven, 
Oh! blessed be the day! 
Death fails to burst the links that round 
The hearts of Christian friends are bound, 
And, when they rise with glory crowned, 
Their love shall be but stronger found 
And it shall last for aye ! 
