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116 
FRIENDSHIP. 
IYY. 
Hedera. 
Language — FRIENDSHIP. 
Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul! 
Sweetener of life, and solder of society ! 
I owe thee much. Thou hast deserved of me 
Far, far beyond what I can ever pay. 
Oft have I proved the labors of thy love, 
And the warm efforts of a gentle heart, 
Anxious to please. 
Blais. 
What though on Love’s altar the flame that is glowing 
Is brighter? yet Friendship’s is steadier far! 
One wavers and turns with each breeze that is blowing, 
And is but a meteor — the other’s a star ! 
In youth Love’s light 
Burns warm and bright, 
But dies ere the winter of age be past; 
While Friendship’s flame 
Burns ever the same, 
And glows but the brighter, the nearer its last! 
O, let my friendship in the wreath, 
Though but a bud among the flowers, 
Its sweetest fragrance round thee breathe — 
’Twill serve to soothe thy weary hours. 
Mrs. Welby. 
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